Manufacturing professionals in quality assurance and process improvement are not new to understanding the importance of quality. However, do they know the difference to be made in creating a culture of quality with regards to driving the policies, practices, and processes needed to accomplish an organization’s work? Developing a culture of quality begins with embodying core values: guiding philosophies, behaviors, and attitudes that, when combined, contribute to day-to-day operations. The culture of quality matures over the decades, as norms are passed from one generation of employees to the next. To transition an organization’s culture to embody quality, it requires commitment and deliberate management of the change processes.

As quality leaders, it’s our role to drive differentiation for our companies. It starts with quality process engagement across functions and ensures that quality is a high priority with top management. Strategy, data and analysis can help communicate this to top management in order to drive a change in culture.