Demonstrating Quality in the Future

I read with interest the updated study on the Future of Quality as published in a recent View From The Q post.

The challenge will be to demonstrate quality in a convincing way.  It is no longer acceptable to communicate in vague terms.  More objectivity and precision will be required for our businesses and organizations.

In our era of excessive marketing and publicity, it is increasingly difficult to convince the public at large, but particularly the regulatory bodies of the legitimacy of quality claims.

This part of an overall communication challenge where the inputs from our Big Data and Analytics must be refined, summarized, and expressed in a way that is both accurate and palatable.

The future of Quality will be defined by our ability to provide this information and have it ready before it is demanded by the stakeholder: the customer, the public at large, the regulatory bodies, and the business environment who demands answers.

We are already doing this reactively in response to a product recall or critical incident investigation.  We have to move from getting the details leading to a "confession" of fault and liability, and toward a "profession" of our capabilities and attributes.

This will also help to put an end to "pseudo-savings".  Consultants who claim to save $50 million from an operation simply by adopting 5S in the warehouse, but then do not have corresponding reductions in headcount or operating budget, can be more easily identified when the reporting details do not match the narrative.  This progression will enhance the credibility and stature of our profession, and ensure that the Future of Quality is clearly understood and embrace.

Post WCQI - new commitments and affiliations

For the last two years, my personal viewpoint was that I was not going to be persuaded to take on even more ASQ commitments.

In addition to my long-term membership commitments to the ASQ Quality Management Division (where I have offered my additional services in support of the Quality Management Forum publication), I have subscribed this year to join 7 other divisions.

This is largely a reflection of the positive interactions which I have had from the leadership of these particular ASQ technical communities.  There is certainly relevance in all of these areas, and I have no doubt that I will benefit intellectually.

The most important consideration comes from the opportunities to collaborate and contribute to presentations and programs.  The starting point has to be the trust and rapport which is formed with the key individuals.

In joining these divisions, I am acknowledging the contributions of the member-leaders who attended the exhibit halls and hosted networking events.  In their own way, they accepted me as a quality practitioner, so in turn I will reciprocate their acceptance with my affiliation.

To the general ASQ membership, I encourage each of you to explore the various Divisions, Interest Groups, and Technical Committees within ASQ.  There are abundant opportunities to advance your own professional contributions through the various events, programs, publications, presentations, and touchpoints.  As we are in an era of virtual communication, it is possible and even encouraged to get involved remotely.

WCQI is a gathering of practitioners, but after the gathering has disbursed, the extent to which the quality flame burns within you will determine your path.