Five categories of common quality circles problems are identified to help firms anticipate difficulties and avert circle failures. These categories include encountered internal problems, encountered external problems, created internal problems, created external problems, and interface problems. Solutions are suggested. (CT)

Describes the application of a management concept called Quality Circles to educational settings. Suggests the use of Student Life Improvement Circles involving student volunteers who consider problems dealing with student life. Presents two examples of the techniques, one focusing on process and the other on task. (JAC)

The Total Performance System (TPS) concept, a conceptual tool to aid management of a wide variety of complex systems such as classrooms, courses, schools, and businesses is presented as a unit of analysis for systems approaches to educational and management problems. A description of the TPS concept defines the classroom as a processing system…

The management strategy of calling attention to problems and labeling them as crises is discussed as a method of coping with prolonged periods of shrinking resources. Part I, "Entering the Realm of Crisis," discusses the importance of defining a crisis, the crisis as an organizational good, and when to declare a crisis. Two types of…

The process of reengineering the administrative information system at the University of Idaho required careful planning, development of a set of philosophies, and several strategies for ensuring success. The latter included a humorous symbol (a jitter bug) to express concern, improved institutional communications, and a focus on logistical issues.…