Spotlight: The ASQ Fellows Innovation Think Tank

Among the seven groups, the Innovation Think Tank stands out as a catalyst for forward-looking dialogue. The purpose of the ASQ Fellows Innovation Think Tank is to provide strategic thought leadership to foster forward-thinking approaches to quality by identifying emerging trends, sharing best practices, and advancing transformative strategies. We explore innovative tools like artificial intelligence to enhance continuous improvement and ensure the future relevance of quality principles across industries. 

Why Innovation Matters Now

Quality professionals are navigating an era defined by rapid technological change. Artificial intelligence, automation, digital transformation, and new forms of data governance are reshaping how organizations operate and how quality is defined. The Innovation Think Tank provides a structured forum for Fellows to examine these developments, assess their implications, and articulate how ASQ members can lead rather than follow.

What the ASQ Fellows Innovation Think Tank Is Working On

The group is moving from high-level discussion into a structured content-creation phase. Below is a summary focusing on specific objectives and upcoming milestones:

Core Workstream: The Innovation Framework

The group is primarily focused on drafting content, such as a white paper or webcast that bridges the gap between traditional quality management and innovation. Key areas of focus include:

• Integrating ISO 56000: Aligning our approach and understanding of innovation with international innovation management standards and pioneers in the field of innovation. 
• The “Quality-Innovation” Intersection: Identify how quality professionals can integrate innovation rather than just compliance.
• Case Study Sharing and Development: Gathering real-world examples of how innovation succeeds or fails within quality-driven organizations.

Specific Actions & Next Steps

The meeting participants identified several actions that would help to maintain momentum:

• Drafting Section Assignments: Individual members of the Think Tank have considered drafting white papers based on their areas of expertise (e.g., studying the repeatability, reproducibility, and readability of various AI platforms).
• Literature Review: A commitment to review and synthesize the current ASQ body of knowledge regarding innovation to ensure our work adds new value. Literary summaries have been gathered and curated for reference and sharing. 
• Template Creation: Developing a standardized format for the “Innovation Case Studies” is under consideration to ensure consistency across different contributors.
• Presentations: We plan to share any findings with the broader community of Fellows to gather additional feedback. We have discussed sharing with member units through various formats, venues, and intermediaries.
• Monthly Milestone Check-ins: The group established a recurring schedule to review draft iterations and consolidate individual notes into a master document.

Key ASQ Fellow Contributors:

• Don Brecken (Interim Lead facilitator/Coordinator)
• Richard Feng
• Ron Atkinson
• Melvin Alexander
• Denis Devos
• Cindy Veenstra 
• Olga Delvecchio 
• Owen Ramsay 
• Teresa Whitacre Lyle
• Wendy Haines
• Lou Ann Lathrop
• Liz Keim 
• Larry George

This Think Tank is developing practical insights, frameworks, and recommendations that can inform the Society and help drive quality innovations.

A Collaborative Model for the Future

One of the strengths of the Innovation Think Tank is its diversity—of industries, perspectives, and experiences. Fellows bring viewpoints from manufacturing, healthcare, government, academia, and service sectors, creating a rich environment for cross-pollination of ideas. This collaborative model is proving to be a powerful engine for generating forward-looking insights that could benefit the entire Society.

An Invitation to All Fellows

The Fellows Think Tanks are open to all ASQ Fellows who wish to contribute. Whether your passion lies in innovation, social responsibility, education, sustainability, or another area, there is a place for your voice and your leadership. These Think Tanks are designed to be inclusive, flexible, and impactful—an opportunity to shape the future of Quality while engaging with peers who share your commitment to the profession. As we continue this work, we welcome ASQ Fellows who are eager to participate, share their expertise, and contribute to building a vibrant, collaborative, and forward-looking Fellows community.