From the Editor

Principle of Two Weaknesses

selandd@bnpmedia.com (Darryl Seland) — Sun, 31 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

It’s called the principle of two weaknesses. It is a strategy in chess. It was developed by Grandmaster Aron Nimzowitsch and detailed in the book, “My System,” back in 1925 and still considered a core strategy in chess to this day.

You Can’t Fall Off the Middle

selandd@bnpmedia.com (Darryl Seland) — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

I recently heard the phrase, "You can't fall off the middle." For me, it almost immediately fit into my advocacy for balance.

How Do We Get to the Positive?

selandd@bnpmedia.com (Darryl Seland) — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

You see it a lot with e-commerce. Online shopping is said to offer an advantage. An array of “reviews” posted by other shoppers of the product you are considering. Amazon and others have converted these comments on the worthiness of a product into tools that help browsers decide if they want to become purchasers.

The Origins of Superheroes

selandd@bnpmedia.com (Darryl Seland) — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The concept of heroes with extraordinary abilities is far older than the comic books—which then became movies, which became television or streaming shows—that we know today.

First Things First — Or Second, or Third?

selandd@bnpmedia.com (Darryl Seland) — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

I admit, first things first does make sense to me. In particular, I like it because it places a priority on the basics. You have to crawl before you walk, walk before you run.

The Language We Use: Similar to the right tool for the right job

selandd@bnpmedia.com (Darryl Seland) — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Choosing the right tools and techniques is essential in manufacturing and quality control. This principle applies to language as well; our word choices influence responses. This was clear during a conversation at the ASQ Measurement Division event in Michigan this September.

Uncertainty: It’s for more than just measurement anymore

selandd@bnpmedia.com (Darryl Seland) — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Political strife, economic instability, and natural disasters challenge the manufacturing sector. This month, explore expert insights on the role of artificial intelligence in quality management and new optical inspection standards.

Evaluation is a Key to Quality in Manufacturing

selandd@bnpmedia.com (Darryl Seland) — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Evaluation and feedback are important to just about anything we approach with a process, and quality is no exception.

An Evolution and Redefinition of Quality in Manufacturing?

selandd@bnpmedia.com (Darryl Seland) — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400

It's not difficult to see the importance of studying and understanding cycles. There are many important cycles worth understanding, not just the so-called natural ones. These are important to success in our personal lives, in business, and in manufacturing.

The ROI of Quality: Why Investing in Quality Pays Off

selandd@bnpmedia.com (Darryl Seland) — Sat, 31 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

The issue arises from differing perspectives on facts and opinions regarding a situation and its consequences. Ultimately, it’s a choice between the costs of taking action and remaining inactive.

Why Preparation is Critical for Closing the Manufacturing Skills Gap

selandd@bnpmedia.com (Darryl Seland) — Fri, 02 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Preparation can help us solve a big problem. Take, for instance, the workforce gap in manufacturing. Planning an approach can make all the difference.

Balancing Analytics and Human Judgment in Manufacturing – Lessons from Baseball

selandd@bnpmedia.com (Darryl Seland) — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Years ago, I wrote a column discussing two baseball movies, Moneyball and Trouble With the Curve, which represented opposing views on the use of analytics in talent scouting within the sport.

You Say Goodbye And I Say Hello

selandd@bnpmedia.com (Darryl Seland) — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Last month we introduced you to the newest member of the Quality staff. This month, we bid a fond farewell to a long-standing member of Quality and the quality industry.

Preparing for Success in Manufacturing – Lessons from Workforce Challenges

selandd@bnpmedia.com (Darryl Seland) — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Success is the achievement of goals, but its meaning is subjective and varies among individuals. Influential figures emphasize focus, perseverance, and learning from failure as key components, suggesting that defining success requires personal interpretation.

Why Mastering Fundamentals is Essential for Success in Quality Manufacturing

selandd@bnpmedia.com (Darryl Seland) — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Athletes facing challenges are often told to "return to the fundamentals." Odell Beckham Jr.'s iconic one-handed catch in 2014, deemed "absolutely impossible," showcased his talent and inspired young players. This highlights the crucial role of fundamentals in achieving excellence in sports and beyond.

Bridging the Manufacturing Skills Gap: Inspiring Careers in Quality and Metrology

selandd@bnpmedia.com (Darryl Seland) — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0500

One of the major challenges in the manufacturing industry is the skills gap and the need to attract more individuals, especially young people, to pursue careers in this field. Organizations like IMTS and ASQ emphasize the importance of showcasing the opportunities that a career in manufacturing offers.

Adaptability in Quality Manufacturing – Thriving in a Changing Industry

selandd@bnpmedia.com (Darryl Seland) — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Change is inevitable, and our greatest tool to deal with it is adaptability.

Understanding Cognitive Bias in Quality Measurement and Data Analysis

selandd@bnpmedia.com (Darryl Seland) — Mon, 02 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400

I kept waking up at 7:47 and also noticed the same time on the clock in the evenings. When I mentioned it to my niece, she said it happens to her too, at a different time of the day.

How Quality 4.0 and the Technological Singularity Are Reshaping Manufacturing

selandd@bnpmedia.com (Darryl Seland) — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400

The singularity—or more accurately, the technological singularity—“is a hypothetical future point in time at which technological growth becomes uncontrollable and irreversible, resulting in unforeseeable consequences for human civilization.”

With Great Risk... Comes Great Reward

selandd@bnpmedia.com (Darryl Seland) — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Thomas Jefferson and MMA Fighter Jon Jones both emphasized the link between risk and reward, but it's debatable whether Jefferson meant to imply a direct correlation.

Miracles and Expectations

selandd@bnpmedia.com (Darryl Seland) — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Boeing's recent incidents have raised concerns about quality and safety. Some blame maintenance issues, not manufacturing. Regardless, it's a cautionary tale.

Anecdotes: They Tell the Story

selandd@bnpmedia.com (Darryl Seland) — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400

The beauty of a good anecdote is that it answers a question or provides a perspective in a much more engaging and memorable way, much like a fable or a fairy tale.

Houston?! I Think We Have a Quality Control Problem

selandd@bnpmedia.com (Darryl Seland) — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400

On March 9, NPR reported Boeing was unable to find any paperwork about the door plug and attributed a top Boeing official saying, “It was likely that such records never existed.” Roughly one day later, the Wall Street Journal reported the Justice Department had opened a criminal investigation.

If You Build It, He Will Come

selandd@bnpmedia.com (Darryl Seland) — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0500

In "Field of Dreams," a farmer builds a baseball field and attracts ghostly players, including his father's favorite. There's a widely circulated mistake about the film's message.

By Hook or By Crook

selandd@bnpmedia.com (Darryl Seland) — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Quality is important in manufacturing as it can protect reputation and help in case of unexpected events. Quality can even help in clearing up the ambiguity of cheating versus gaining a competitive advantage.

Puzzles and the Art of Solving Them

selandd@bnpmedia.com (Darryl Seland) — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Like other puzzles—and any other endeavor—the key to a solution is an understanding of the rules and the tools to lead you to the solution.

Bogus Parts: What's a Supply Chain to do?

selandd@bnpmedia.com (Darryl Seland) — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0500

How do you ensure your supply chain and the providers you’re dealing with are reputable?

Where Does it End? Usually Depends on Where You Start

selandd@bnpmedia.com (Darryl Seland) — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0400

There is an old saying: Garbage in, garbage out. It is a reference to the need for any creative, quality end product to start with quality, reproducible material.

Data Mining: Making the Right Connections

selandd@bnpmedia.com (Darryl Seland) — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400

While data mining can unearth a wealth of information, it takes discriminating analysis to make sure we are not just making connections, but the right connections.

A Phenomena Called The Mandela Effect

selandd@bnpmedia.com (Darryl Seland) — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Do you remember Curious George? If you do, picture him right now. Does he have a long tail? If you said yes, you might be shocked to hear that he had no tail at all.