It is October, the first full month of autumn. You notice the changing colors, dropping temperatures, and other signs of winter. October is a time of pretty yards and dreary skies. Perhaps it’s this combination that has led to three unique celebrations this month: Sarcasm Month, Pet Peeve Week, and National Frustration Day.
While the skeptics and complainers have their day(s) in October, the quality community gets to offer stories of success and reasons for celebration. National Quality Month and World Standards Day (October 14) are both celebrated in the year’s first full month of autumn. It may be too much to ask the typical citizen to understand the ins and outs of quality methodology, but it’s not too much to recognize the importance of quality. There are plenty of stories to tell. Here is a little bit of background regarding both longstanding annual events.