Speaking of Quality

Seeing the Bigger Picture: How ASQ Expanded My View of Quality

Sat, 09 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Like many professionals, my introduction to ASQ began with a very practical goal: certification. At the time, I was focused on strengthening my technical foundation and building credibility in the field of quality.

Leadership Principles That Drive Quality and Team Success

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

I have had numerous bosses over my 40+ year career. A few were great, most were good, and several were terrible. Coinciding with my career has been the opportunity to serve as a member leader (aka volunteer) for ASQ, something I have done continuously since 1992.

Expanding One’s Skill Set Through Actual Practice

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

We all have likes and dislikes. When I was young, I liked to wear sneakers and play; what kid didn’t? Sunday mornings were the worst; not only did attending church cut into playtime, but I had to dress up and wear shoes.

How ASQ Transformed My Career—and Why It Can Transform Yours Too

Sun, 08 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Was there a spark that ignited your professional journey? Maybe it was a person, an experience, a moment that set or changed the direction of your career.

Community is at the Heart of Everything We Do Within ASQ

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 15:00:00 -0500

At ASQ’s 2025 World Conference on Quality and Improvement (WCQI) I had the opportunity to speak from the ‘big stage’ about community.

How a Quality Engineering Job Became a Career—and Ultimately a Passion

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 12:00:00 -0500

When I was a college senior, I devoted much of my free time to searching for a job. Up until that point, I had believed that one goes to school, earns a degree, and then simply gets a job.

Quality Through Transformation

Sun, 05 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

November is World Quality Month, a time to celebrate and raise awareness about the vital role quality plays in our lives — from the products and services we rely on to the broader impact on our communities and the world.

ASQ’s Publications Support Novice Practitioners to Cutting Edge Research

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

ASQ has a broad publishing program that includes Quality Progress magazine, Lean & Six Sigma Review, and four technical journals: Journal of Quality Technology, Quality Engineering, Quality Management Journal, and Technometrics. The Quality Press catalog has over 200 books available in print and ebook formats, with annual sales exceeding 30,000 books.

Upholding Excellence: ASQ Certification Development Process

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

ASQ follows ISO/IEC 17024 requirements to ensure impartial, competency-based certifications. The ASQ Certification Council manages the certification process and addresses related issues. Exam development involves a systematic process with volunteer Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), psychometricians, and ASQ staff.

My Quality Journey: The Pursuit of Quality is Not a Destination, it's Lifelong

Sat, 12 Jul 2025 01:00:00 -0400

Sometimes you choose a career path, but it often chooses you. I did not start out my career in quality, but it was always a part of every job I held.

WCQI: A Massive Networking Event Disguised as a Conference

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In May, I attended ASQ’s World Conference on Quality and Improvement in Denver. It was more than a technical conference; it was a major networking event with great keynotes, breakout sessions, and an expansive exhibit hall.

The Selflessness of Service

Sat, 08 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Scouting instilled in me lifelong values of service and leadership. While I initially volunteered for personal gain in my professional career, my commitment to giving back to the quality community has grown over time.

ASQ is Needed Most During Tough Times

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 01:00:00 -0500

Joining the American Society for Quality (ASQ) is an excellent way to advance your career, especially in tough times. ASQ provides resources like the Career Center, Interview Coach, and skill development opportunities, along with potential dues relief. Explore ASQ's resources to enhance your professional journey!

My Favorite of the Seven Basic Quality Tools

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400

This month, I'm honored to speak at the ASQ Columbus (Ohio) Section’s annual conference on the theme "What is in Your Toolbox?" I'll discuss the seven basic quality tools I've extensively used over my 30+ years as a quality professional. Interestingly, unlike with my children, I do have a favorite among these tools.

Businesses Have Endless Supply of Maladies that Need to be Addressed

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Problem solving should always begin with listening. Where does it hurt? What are your symptoms? What have you tried already?

The More You Get Involved, the More You Will Get

Wed, 29 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

ASQ has been crucial to my professional growth as a quality professional. I hope my story inspires you to get involved for maximum membership benefits.

Not Either/Or but Both

Fri, 29 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400

My passion for conferences and trade shows, ideal for expanding knowledge and networks, is well-known. The Quality Show South is a prime opportunity for practitioners and continuous improvement professionals to connect, access cutting-edge software and technology, and enhance their careers.

Foster a Sense of Belonging

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0500

During our time in the Richmond section, we collaborated with a local charity to streamline their donation process through 5S and lean principles, an endeavor later showcased at WCQI. ASQ events prioritize enjoyment alongside professional development, fostering connections.

The Quality Show South Preview Podcast: Process Maps—A Vital Tool for Lean

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Quality sat down with Jim Spichiger, program manager, Amazon Custom Service, and immediate past chair of the ASQ Inspection Division, to discuss his upcoming Quality Show South presentation.

My Unforgettable Quality Journey

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0500

In 2003, the company I was working for took the pioneering step of pursuing ISO 9001:2000 Certification. When the management made this decision, I was the sole volunteer who willingly invested extra hours to establish a robust quality management system for the company.

The Purpose: Achieve Excellence Through Quality

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0500

ASQ’s purpose is to empower individuals and communities of the world to achieve excellence through quality. While it can be summed up in one sentence, how it goes about fulfilling it requires a novel to explain.

Incremental Benefits of ASQ Membership

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Four distinct actions are recommended to ASQ Professional Members for optimal results. These pursuits represent the consistency and compounded benefits that long-term members of ASQ have been realizing and yielding for decades.

My Rip Van Winkle Moment

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Over the years I had not given this topic of ASQ’s future studies much thought until I received a gut punch of reality in October 2015. That was the year of the first Quality Show.

The Value of Divisions for ASQ Members

Thu, 17 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0400

All members have the opportunity to join all 27 divisions if they choose to, without additional cost. But ask yourself: can one really be an engaged member of 27 divisions?

Developing Leadership Skills through ASQ Service

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Have you ever had the inclination to start your own business but were confronted with the dilemma of not knowing how to run all aspects of a business?

Competence, Awareness, and Training – Oh My!

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0400

With the ever-increasing complexity involved with the provision of products and services, the demand for competent workers will undoubtedly increase.

Auditing vs. Inspection

jvdbd@hotmail.com (John Vandenbemden) — Wed, 17 May 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Auditing and inspection are two critical tools that organizations apply to ensure compliance, policies, procedures and products. Even though there are similarities these tools have different intent.

Accomplishments Build on One Another

Tue, 18 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Now that my hair has turned gray, I periodically think back and consider “what if …” What if I had chosen a different major in college? What if I had not taken a specific job opportunity?

From Firefighter to Proactive Problem Solver

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Over the years, I have seen firsthand that there seems to be no shortage of opportunities for quality professionals to become an irreplaceable member of an organization if they are highly skilled in resolving issues.

Common Pushbacks that Quality Professionals Hear

Baksh7@Outlook.com (Tash Baksh) — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Quality professionals quickly learn that they need to deal with a barrage of situations where their expertise is required to intervene, provide perspective, or in some cases lead teams to come up with a solution.