Quality control cycle

The process phases of the P-D-C-A cycle can be used to represent the core processes in studying and teaching and thus the degree courses life cycle: the establishment of a degree course (P), the implementation of a degree course (D), the review of a degree course (C) as well as the further development or, if necessary, the cancellation of a degree course (A). The ideal starting point of the quality control cycle via this structuring level is the establishment of a new degree course.

The four quality dimensions described cannot be ideally assigned to the individual process phases, but rather form a holistic framework.

The establishment of a degree course is the focus of the Planning-Phase. The core process description for this aims on the one hand at the implementation level (actors, time planning, documents, etc.), and on the other hand focuses on the content-related definition of the objectives of the planned degree course (qualification objectives, course level, degree course concept).

The Do-Phase refers to the implementation of a degree course. In the explanations, the focus is on those involved: On the one hand, these are the teachers. On the other hand, the implementation of a degree course includes many organisational aspects on the administrative side. However, the processes and procedural steps associated with the respective workflows (such as the planning of examinations or the regular publication of the online course guide) are not presented here in the sense of a typical core process description.

The Check-Phase relates to a course review and is described in terms of the tools used to revise the content definition of a course: Evaluations and internal (re-)accreditation. These tools are used to identify possible reasons in the event of non-achievement. However, these tools are also used to record and check parameters from the Do-Phase (e.g. organisation of studies and examinations, counselling and support services).

The Act-Phase refers to possible consequences from the Check-Phase. One consequence can be the further development of a degree course. In the core process description, the focus is on the implementation level (i.e. actors, time planning, documents, etc.). Depending on the type and scope of the planned further development, a modification of the content-related goal definition of the now no longer new but ongoing degree course is necessary. The process description for cancelling a degree course– also a possible consequence of the Check-Phase – also shows the procedural steps that need to be taken into account.

All core processes are described in the Quality Management Manual.