OREANDA-NEWS. August 28, 2014. POSCO held a ceremony to proclaim the beginning of QSS+ (Quick Six Sigma Plus), which is an upgraded version of POSCO`s own innovation methodology, QSS.

This proclamation ceremony was held under the chairmanship of CEO Gwon Ohjoon and was broadcast live to Pohang Works and Gwangyang Works.

The ceremony featured a `sharing value` program with the screening of a special introductory video about QSS operation, a `sharing goal` program that shared QSS+ initiative and steelwork-specific plans and an emphasis on `mutual encouragement and support`, which included the reading of the QSS+ resolution and a speech by the CEO.

POSCO has been able with QSS, its own innovation methodology, to improve the working environment and facilities while eliminating waste. However, employees began to see that QSS was not best suited for facilities that run 24 hours a day, which posed an issue as POSCO sought to enter the Best Plant stage. Moreover, the outgoing methodology was somewhat heavy-handed.

In this regard, POSCO developed QSS+, the upgraded version of QSS, with an emphasis placed on empowering the autonomy of individual employees and reflecting the nature of a steelworks. POSCO has since that QSS+ will be implemented at the enterprise level.

The key part of QSS+ is the new `My M&S (Machine & Safety) program`, which is designed to address the needs of facilities and replace the Best Plan program. QSS+ in fact builds on the basic framework of QSS, including 5S (improving the working environment) and My Machine. To put it another way, My M&S aims to build robust facilities to ensure the best competitiveness in terms of facilities and, furthermore, the safest working environment in the world. It will be promoted throughout the organization form the bottom up to allow each department to set its own goal to work towards, rather than following the conventional top-down approach.

POSCO will now establish a `5-step OJY system` to improve its technological prowess and pave the way for success in QSS+ while, at the same time, implementing a `master workman` program to select at least 6 master workmen each year, as well as `integrating innovation into work` by assigning the leading role to the on-site manager. In addition, POSCO plans to encourage all employees to demonstrate `sincere leadership` and initiative, the key qualities required for the QSS+ methodology to be a resounding success.

``The name QSS+ reflects the way the methodology has evolved to yield more substantial results while allowing employees to set a goal on their own from the standpoint of quality, stability and safety. With this QSS+ proclamation ceremony, I`d like all of you to bring back your passion. Our passion can grow bigger when we value our work, have a sense of ownership and support each other with a thankful heart``, said CEO Gwon Ohjoon.

POSCO adopted its innovation initiative named QSS in 2005 and has practiced it at every level of its organization. It will now put the utmost effort into making QSS+ go beyond the old QSS and become the best methodology for ensuring the world`s best facilities.