Self-assessment as a facilitator for learning

• As a tool and as an approach, self-assessment supports organizational learning. For example, self-assessment is a tool in systematic problem solving and an approach in new experimentation. In addition to these two elements, a learning organization should be skilled in learning from the best practices and experience of others and in quickly and efficiency transferring knowledge throughout the organization. When based on total quality management (TQM), the best known self-assessment tools include the European Quality Award and the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. The TQM perspective suggests a three-phase approach to self-assessment: preparation, accomplishment, and continuous improvement through generation and implementation of action plans. A pilot study of TQM-based self-assessment with about 25 employees at the Lule� University of Technology used a springboard assessment tool that covered four areas: customer cooperation, employee commitment, leadership, and process management. The springboard questionnaire analyzed employee opinions on the tool and approach of this self-assessment. For the preparation phase, the analysis suggested better reconciliation of improvement work with everyday tasks. For the accomplishment phase, the assessment demonstrated the useful but time consuming nature of teamwork. Meeting times needed to be better allocated. And for the continuous improvement phase, the self-assessment was incomplete as of this writing.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik -- Tillförlitlighets- och kvalitetsteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering -- Reliability and Maintenance (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Kvalitetsteknik

Quality Technology and Management

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

kon (subject category)