The emphasis of this programme is on the tactical aspects of managing quality. The programme is designed for the hands-on manager who has the authority and personal skills to
direct operations and to contribute towards organisational strategy. It is equally valuable for the person who aspires to such a role. In the syllabus that follows, the role is described as the manager while the members of staff who report to the candidate are described as team members or personnel.

The aim is to enable the operational manager to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the management of the quality function by means of:

• optimum tactical utilisation of resources
• effective communications
• development of the team as a coherent, mutually-supportive and motivated group of people who, with the manager, share a common vision and purpose as to the nature of their business.

20 hours - Control of Quality, Safety & Outputs
30 hours - Development of Personal Management Style
40 hours - Planning & Controlling the Work of Teams
& Individuals
30 hours - Meetings & Decision Making
20 hours - Quality Assurance Policies
20 hours - Continuous Improvement
20 hours - Managing Quality Systems
20 hours - Compliance and Audit
20 hours - Determine Effective Use of Resources

+ Overarching Project, drawing together the content
of the other nine Units

Total: 220 hours

Assessment Criteria are provided at the end of each unit. Candidates are required to demonstrate that they have met these criteria in order to gain the Chartered Management Institute Award.

The main purpose of the Assessment Criteria is to provide consistency and hence to maintain credibility. The Assessment Criteria are designed to inform Institute Centres of WHAT to assess, not HOW to assess.

The first nine units of the Level 4 Diploma in Quality Management are derived from the knowledge specifications of the MCI level 4 standards for Managing Quality and cover the 6 mandatory and 9 optional units. The units covered by each unit are indicated in the panel at the start of each unit. However, the Institute Level 4 Diploma in Quality Management is awarded only on the basis of assessment which conforms to the Assessment Criteria as defined in the syllabus. Assessment of knowledge contributing to the award of an NVQ/SVQ
will not necessarily meet the criteria.

Whilst some units in this Diploma are similar to those within other Institute qualifications, these units have been contextualised for managing quality.

Whilst the use of work-related evidence, to meet the Assessment Criteria, is to be encouraged, the unavailability of this source is not a barrier to success for those who cannot acquire it, e.g. people who are unemployed or seeking a career change.