ASQ Transformation

This is my contribution, such as it is, to the Transformation efforts for ASQ.  I sent this to ASQ leadership and am hoping for a response.  Until then, I will socialize these perspectives to get consensus.  This is a response to the 10 micro-trends affecting Associations.  My hope is that ASQ will take this information and apply it constructively toward their activities.

Sent: Monday, November 21, 2016 2:09 PM
To: wtroy@asq.org; spowell@asq.org; plalonde90@gmail.com; Eric.Hayler@bmwmc.com
Cc: communitydevelopment@asq.org; dblevy@optonline.net; dlbrecken@sbcglobal.net
Subject: ASQ Transformation: Proposed Responses to Association Micro-Trends

Good afternoon Mr. Troy, ASQ Leadership:

In response to the recent communication by Bill Troy of the micro-trends affecting Associations, I reviewed all of the comments carefully, assessed the impacts to ASQ operations,  and proposed constructive approaches to meet these challenges.  Please circulate or redistribute this note as you deem appropriate.

I am communicating these personal perspectives from two decades of experience with ASQ in multiple capacities:

• ASQ member (currently a Fellow member),
• ASQ Certificant (currently possess 7 renewable ASQ Certifications),
• ASQ Member-Leader (currently active as a Regional Director and voting member of Section Affairs Council, along with other roles across multiple ASQ Divisions and member units),
• ASQ Subject Matter Expert and Communicator (co-author of Quality Press bestseller, Certified Six Sigma Green Belt Handbook, WCQI presenter and reviewer).

I hope that you will take these proposals under advisement and apply them as inputs toward the current ASQ Transformation reviews and solutions.  I believe that it is necessary for ASQ to continue its 70 year legacy as a pioneer of the international Quality movement, and continue to serve as the definitive professional resource for Quality practitioners of all levels within all industries and domains.  Sustaining ASQ while meeting the dynamic professional demands and expectations of current and future ASQ members and applying technological innovations will require careful and deliberate effort and prioritization of all options and opportunities.  Within the Quality domain, ASQ should always compete as a leader from strength as no other organization in the world has our track record, capabilities, or global reach.

I welcome feedback from you or any of the ASQ Transformation participants.  By communicating this response, I also offer myself as a volunteer to participate in and support the ASQ Transformation initiatives, discussions, workshops, studies, and reports.

 

Sincerely,

 

Daniel Zrymiak

ASQ Member (Year 20), ASQ Fellow 01148728

 

Below, I share 10 micro-level trends, specific to associations, which directly impact our strategy for change and require us to explore new models.

1. Economic concerns are leading companies to re-examine every cost, cutting out memberships and travel, encouraging staff to access free resources.

 

Expected impact to ASQ operations	This will trend to a reduced percentage and overall revenue generated from corporate sponsorship of individual membership fees and expenses, shifting financial burdens directly to members.
Recommended ASQ response	Emphasize the financial and career advantages and returns from ASQ membership and involvement.  Career growth and opportunities to extend earnings through teaching and writing should also be emphasized to support individual commitment.
Justification/ Rationale	ASQ has been very beneficial to me personally and professionally, and I view my continued involvement as part of a virtuous cycle that aids and benefits me, my employer, my profession, and my community.   I have a recent example showing how participation in ASQ conferences and recertification programs offers nearly a 10:1 return on investment.  If an individual gets $10 for every $1 committed, the returns will justify the costs and support the argument for individual membership.   From 2014-2016: -           Synchronized recertification with a promo code, will enable 7 ASQ recertifications for $20 USD; compared to the $763 USD ($109 X 7) for non-members which represents a 97% cost savings -           3 year WCQI reviewer (restricted to ASQ Senior and Fellow members) with complimentary registration, saving $3785 USD in registration fees (non-member WCQI costs in 2014, 2015, and 2016). -           The cost recovery and financial returns ($743 + $3785 =  $4528 USD) represents a 9.5:1 return on investment for the $159 annual ASQ fees

2. Organizations are increasingly seeking to build their own in-house training and certification processes. Train-the-Trainer offerings are commonly requested.

Expected impact to ASQ operations	This trend will reduce revenue for ASQ as a provider of corporate training directly to organizations.
Recommended ASQ response	ASQ can adapt and shift to emphasizing knowledge base and infrastructure for corporate resources, offering “Quality as a Service” backed by updated references.   ASQ can use its ITEA team competition initiative to augment training by showcasing examples of Quality methods and practices applied, resulting in savings and improved performance.  This takes training out of the classroom and into practical application.
Justification/ Rationale	ASQ can promote itself as a valuable partner and organizations can outsource their Quality knowledge base and curriculum development to ASQ.  This actually creates consistency of education and enables organizations to use their own talent.

3. Individuals are more frequently moving from job to job, industry to industry and / or organization to organization, resulting in increased career changes and less stability in organizational memberships.

Expected impact to ASQ operations	Organizational memberships will decline in response to individual attrition or relocation.
Recommended ASQ response	Promote the ASQ advantage of Mobility and encourage the adoption of individual ASQ memberships that travel with the individual throughout their career.
Justification/ Rationale	Individual memberships offer more benefits and potential for member value, and can be retained across multiple employers or career transitions.   Organizational memberships can be strategically positioned as a source of future individual ASQ members and leaders.

4. Millennials are not as motivated to join membership organizations as previous generations. As a whole, young professionals do not believe they should have to pay for networking, information, etc.

Expected impact to ASQ operations	Membership does not have the same appeal and will decline over time.
Recommended ASQ response	Emphasize the advantages of networking, particularly to cultivate new mentors and industry experts for informational interviews.  Contrast this to the expensive option of hiring executive coaches, or having the competitive disadvantage of lacking mentorship and context.
Justification/ Rationale	Membership supports interactions and personal connections with experienced professionals, who are more inclined to help mentor or provide informational interviews to those with whom they are already positively acquainted.  These are critical assets to a progressive career, and ASQ is an excellent resource for both capabilities.

5. Individuals are under greater time constraints –working longer hours –and are less likely to be involved in professional organizations or volunteer.

Expected impact to ASQ operations	Reduced participation in ASQ meetings and events, particularly when travel and overnight stays are considered.
Recommended ASQ response	Shift mentality from leadership groups or committees that meet for the sake of meeting to a hierarchy of programs and projects which are specific to a portfolio (i.e. education, certification, membership) or an event (i.e. conference).   Enhance recognitions for individual contributors.  I am already very impressed with the Member Leader engagement by ASQ Community Development, and would support the propagation of this model across all of ASQ.
Justification/ Rationale	Projects imply flexibility and finite commitments.  People are more inclined to volunteer for limited commitments with clear terminations.  Nobody wants to be stuck in a necessary but unappealing role with the inability to find a successor.

6. Growth in associations has been greatest in specialized organizations. For example, while the American Medical Association has drastically lost membership and market share, the number of specialty medical societies has grown.

Expected impact to ASQ operations	Increased specialization will cause membership preferences to shift from large organizations with a general orientation to small, nimble groups with a targeted focus.
Recommended ASQ response	Emphasize the ASQ advantages of having experienced and committed staff and management.  I would especially like to acknowledge particular individuals within ASQ Head Office with whom I have had the pleasure to collaborate for many years, and of whom I have come to regard not just as service providers but cherished acquaintances and personal friends.   Continue to incorporate specialized groups as ASQ Divisions and Member Units, through partnerships and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreements with specialized groups for collaborations.
Justification/ Rationale	ASQ is really a composite aggregation of professional relationships with specific individuals.  The best ASQ advantage comes from the personal interactions with the top performing long-term ASQ resources.  ASQ has a great employee culture which promotes exceptional service and teamwork, and this should be emphasized as a competitive advantage.   ASQ offers the overall Quality mentality and perspective, and can benefit from industry-specific partnerships.  For example, ASQ members interested in IT Service Management can collaborate with ISACA to jointly raise awareness and compliance to Sarbanes-Oxley regulations.

7. The environment is changing… but the association model has generally stayed the same. This leaves many organizations expending greater resources just to maintain membership.

Many associations have been trying to address decreasing membership by increasing their services and broadening their target market –trying to be all things to all people –but inadvertently increasing their cost base.

Expected impact to ASQ operations	ASQ does not get the necessary contributions from members to sustain its overhead and capital investments.
Recommended ASQ response	ASQ should serve all of North America first and yield the full benefit of all Quality practitioners within the proximity of Canada and USA.  -          Translation of Products and Services into French to get access to a 10 million Francophone community within proximity of ASQ head office. -          Expansion of Customer Care live agent availability to 5PM Pacific to more effectively serve 40 million residents in Pacific time zone (currently underserved with mid-afternoon ASQ closure)     Management of expectations to members.  Reinforce that ASQ is an association which must manage costs and commitments and that work is done by real people with full day-jobs and heavy workloads.
Justification/ Rationale	Overhead is reduced when more local opportunities are captured and yielded, spreading the costs more equitably across individual and organizational members to grow resources locally for future expansion  (The author, Og Mandino, referenced this is his Acres of Diamonds book.).   Trying to be all things to all people is a response to appeasing the well-intentioned but impractical expectations of members who seek to stretch ASQ capabilities.  Evaluate the impact of extended services by people affected and potential for future sustainability.

8. New competitors are responding to the environment…Delivering on the core value propositions of traditional membership associations.

Expected impact to ASQ operations	ASQ will lose members and revenue to competitors
Recommended ASQ response	Compete as a leader from strength by emphasizing the advantages or “Powers” of ASQ: -          Availability: ASQ is offered to all levels, backgrounds, ages, cultures -          Prestige: ASQ originated from Pioneers of Quality with 70 year legacy -          Precision: ASQ experience adapts and customizes to fit members -          Mobility: ASQ offers comity and acceptance across many locations -          Rewards: ASQ provides discounts, savings, honoraria, and benefits   Have long-term members provide positive testimonials for publication and review.   Showcase the international organizations and initiatives (i.e. ISO, Baldrige) in which ASQ is a participant and contributor.
Justification/ Rationale	New organizations do not have the ASQ track record or influence.  In comparison they are social clubs that do not have the extensive knowledge base, international acceptance, or networking connections offered by ASQ.

9. Associations are spending extensive resources to be at parity with more modern, tech savvy competition. New platforms are needed to enable traditional value propositions in a digital future -24/7 access to assistance, digital resources with great search functionality, remote networking, etc. just to name a few.

Expected impact to ASQ operations	This will require capital investment to remain relevant and operational, potentially increasing annual membership dues and expenses.
Recommended ASQ response	As a cost of doing business, make the necessary commitments to procure and deploy the technical applications and infrastructure.   Promote this as Innovation, and build support within ASQ for best practices and innovation emotionally by wanting
Justification/ Rationale	Manage expectations by being transparent about how much of the membership revenue is being directed to technology advancement.  ASQ members could be encouraged to have additional sponsorships in a manner similar to the campaign to raise money for ASQ HQ relocation to its current building.

10. Associations are struggling to explore cutting edge topics with the traditional volunteer labor base. Membership lacks the time to attend meetings regularly, much less the extensive time required to create new topics, generate insight and develop content. This means that relevant subject matter, such as Big Data or the Internet of Things, goes unexplored.

Expected impact to ASQ operations	ASQ is missing opportunities to adopt and gain expertise on new topics, perpetuating its eventual obsolescence.
Recommended ASQ response	ASQ should incentivize its thought-leaders to pursue these topics.  (Disclosure: ASQ has started on this path with excellent work published and presented by “ASQ Fresh Faces”, Dr. Nicole Radziwill and Austin Lin, in these innovative topic areas)   Articles related to these topics should be assigned to the participants of the ASQ Emerging Leaders program as part of their course work, to expand the ASQ Quality Body of Knowledge.   ASQ Scholarships and Publications should be created and targeted to innovative topic areas.  This could be done in collaboration with International Academy for Quality.
Justification/ Rationale	By explicitly recognizing current thought-leaders and promoting this to the new generation of ASQ Leadership, ASQ will have tangible outcomes within 3-5 years.  This should be connected to ASQ’s recognition and education programs (i.e. Fresh Faces, Emerging Leaders, Scholarships) so that membership and the Quality Body of Knowledge advance concurrently.

These trends provide insight into what we are faced with. Understanding them is important, but we can’t stop there. We must develop creative ways to adapt our current business model to address them. Some questions we will have to answer:

1) Do millennials value in-person networking and interactions or are they content with virtual meetings?

Expected impact to ASQ operations	Meetings do not appeal to Millennials, who can get the details virtually.
Recommended ASQ response	Emphasize the social and networking aspects of meetings for Millennials and ASQ members of all ages, and redirect intensive quality presentations and lectures to online podcasts.
Justification/ Rationale	Maximize “face-time” as a way to build relationships and become better acquainted with interactive “ice-breakers” and group brainstorming activities, not sitting quietly in an uncomfortable chair listening to a lecture and watching powerpoint presentations in a windowless room.

 

2) If professional advancement is the primary concern of younger members, how will we have to adjust our offerings to respond to that need?

Expected impact to ASQ operations	If ASQ is not seen as a necessary component of professional advancement, it will simply be a social club and lose the sense its urgency and necessity to Millennials.
Recommended ASQ response	Emphasize the versatility, resiliency, and holistic preparation offered by ASQ as a way to move from the ranks of the replaceable or outsourceable practitioner to the indispensable quality leader or subject matter expert.   Emphasize the value of ASQ for people who are thrust into a quality role later in their career (i.e. Registered Nurse promoted to be Continual Improvement Manager for the hospital).  ASQ augments the clinical knowledge with specific methods and techniques.
Justification/ Rationale	Career advancement is not necessarily linear, and is often more about responding to changes in work and organizational situations to preserve employment and grow influence during difficult times.

3) How valid is our argument that we have specialized, accessible knowledge now available from competitors on the internet?

Expected impact to ASQ operations	ASQ will no longer be perceived as the definitive source of Quality knowledge, and will have to compete with internet providers offering similar value with lower cost and overhead.
Recommended ASQ response	ASQ should compete as a leader from strength.   ASQ should acknowledge and integrate internet resources, and position itself as a moderator and aggregator of such knowledge.
Justification/ Rationale	ASQ cannot compete with infinite internet sources, nor should it.  As long as ASQ is the definitive first point of contact, people will default to ASQ as the first option.   ASQ should also emphasize that material on the internet may be suspect or obsolete, and not definitive.  For example, while the ISO standards from 2000 are now freely available online, organizations are better served by purchasing the current 2015 versions from ASQ.

 

 

 

Career Transitions in Quality: New Tricks for Old Dogs

This is a summary of my recent presentation covering a framework and approach to navigate through the different industries and competency areas.

Critical To Quality Segments for Managing Your Career Transition:

Desire
What is driving the change? Why is this change right for you?
•Visualize and capture your emotional desire –sustain persistence

Bring To Table
•Existing Skills, Experience, Capabilities
•Industry Participation: (see following slide for examples from Oil and Gas)
•Itemize your personal inventory of capabilities –Gallup Strengthsfinder

•Align and prioritize with the demands and desires of your target destination


Add New
•Incremental Skills needed
•Capabilities to train on the job or upgrade during career transitions
•Understand the demands and work to address personal gaps
•Learn how to learn, devote time to self-enrichment and personal pursuits

Credentials
•ASQ Mentorship, ASQ Certifications, Professional and Academic Training
•Use Informational Interviews to make contacts and elicit target knowledge
•Pursue mentorship, ASQ Certifications, Professional and Academic Training

Ride The Wave
•Identify and align with prevailing trends and preferences
•Connect and couple Quality with positive and popular initiatives including:
•Productivity, Business Transformation, Organizational Development, Due Diligence, M&A
•Social Responsibility, Safety, Environmental Mgmt., Employee Empowerment, First Nations
•Non-Profit, Public Service (Healthcare, Education) –can’t be offshored nor outsourced
•Understand and adapt to ongoing trends (i.e. globalization, technology)
•Prepare now for world in 2017, 2020, 2036

ASQ is a source and provider of the Quality Body of Knowledge to support Career Transitions and professional growth

ASQ Members are a source of mentorship and expertise
•Explore ASQ
–locally
–globally at www.asq.org
•Attend the ASQ programs & events in person and virtually
•Follow ASQ Influential Voices, ASQ Career Connection
•Join ASQ Community groups on www.linkedin.com
•Support your local ASQ Section and ASQ Divisions

Quality Professional Development - Flexibility, Reusability, Eligibility

ASQ can be very expensive with high priced options for certification, education, conferences, and events.  This article is to show ways to satisfy member demand for professional growth while doing so in a cost-effective way by applying best practices for flexibility, reusability, and eligibility.


Being part of ASQ should not be synonymous with high-pressure sales, exaggerated claims, and misleading misrepresentations about the future benefits of overpriced certifications.  ASQ has survived and sustained itself for 70 years by being relevant and suitable for its membership.  A modest and methodical approach, carefully and thoughtfully considered, and emphasizing prudence and thrift, will enable ASQ members to realize their personal and career aspirations in a way that does not disrupt or diminish other elements of their personal or professional lives.


This article captures some personal and reflections and perspectives on my 25+ years of professional education and growth.  I wanted to share my own experiences in managing professional upgrades and training while concurrently fulfilling my job duties and personal commitments (i.e. home, family, other pursuits).

 

An early experience came when my employer declined my request to sponsor my attendance to a quality conference with the rationalization that if I deemed it a personal priority, I would find a way to muster the resources myself to attend.  Through a combination of prudent choices and thrifty purchase selections (red-eye flights on stand-by, distant motels, public transit) and cost-effective alternatives (breakfast from grocery stores rather than restaurants or coffee shops), I was able to come within a personal budget that made conference attendance viable.

 

20 years ago, ASQC had twice as many members as it does today, with less overhead and fewer options.  Consequently, certifications and conferences were considerably less expensive.  The situation in the late 1990s and early 2000s was that the training, references, and examination fees could be acquired for a few hundred dollars, making it comparable in cost to a single class at a local accredited post-secondary institution.  These endeavors were greatly supported by the eminent educators and mentors found within ASQC who devoted their services and expertise voluntarily to assist and guide participants.

 

When you have to spend your own money, the importance of the pursuit is considered in the context of not only the potential gains from completing the certification or conference, but also the competing financial commitments of home, family, and other personal pursuits.  For this reason, no ASQ member should ever be pressured beyond their personal comfort levels to partake in a costly training or networking initiative, lest family and personal lives be disrupted. 

 

In the 20 years since I attended my first ASQ meeting at the Metrotown Holiday Inn, I have acquired 7 renewable ASQ certifications and attended 8 World Conferences.  If someone were to start today and match the same levels based on full prices or "rack rates" for training and registration, that level of involvement would require a personal commitment of over $25,000. 


Spending $2000 or more per individual certification just to train for and write an open book exam is not sustainable for our membership.


THERE MUST BE A BETTER WAY! 


I recommend three approaches for professional development to build your Quality portfolio within your financial means.

 

Flexibility:

 

The ASQ exams or equivalent credentials from similar professional societies demand a certain level of proficiency, but do not mandate exactly how that proficiency must be acquired.  You can arrive at the exam site on foot, by public transit, on cycle, in a car, or by a limousine or private jet.  Once you step in and take your seat, your status is equal to all other examinees.  The same mentality should be considered whether you acquired your knowledge from personal tutors, expensive courses, webinars, or independent self-study.  Knowledge is knowledge, and does not discriminate by the size of the invoices paid.

 

As part of your preparation, you should understand your present proficiency level in the subject area.  People who don't know what they don't know (misunderstand their ignorance) will have a false impression of their readiness.  The best approach is to acquire practice exams that will reflect the complexity and coverage of the various questions, and indicate areas where additional study is required.

 

Not all training is required to be provided by ASQ or ASQ affiliated instructors.  For exams like CQE and CSSBB, there is a statistical component.  This can be augmented by generic training in statistics for business and management, and used to support preparation efforts.  You have every right to select your source of knowledge.

 

There is also flexibility to participate.  ASQ does not require perfect attendance, and it is better to pick your spots to focus on the most meaningful and impactful events.  Personal commitments (i.e. wedding anniversaries) should be prioritized, and as ASQ has been around for 70 years, you should never be pressured with a "last chance" sales pitch.  Unlike a fly-by-night operation that packs up when the carnival or exhibition leaves town (to find a new set of suckers), ASQ will remain to accommodate the time that is more conducive to your schedule.

 

Reusability:

 

When you acquire assets of knowledge or intellectual capital, these are yours to apply and reuse personally and professionally.  Some of the best (i.e. Juran's Quality Handbook, Gemba Kaizen) are filled with relevant and practical knowledge that can be applied to both academic exams and practical work situations. 

 

ASQ Certifications are distinguished by having an approved Body of Knowledge, which is continually reviewed and regularly updated by industry and academic participants.  Often the same elements of the overall Quality Body of Knowledge (QBoK) are reused across multiple certifications. 

 

Lean, as an example, is a subset of the Quality Body of Knowledge, and the following ASQ Certifications include a section on Lean Tools (i.e. Cycle Time, 5S, Kanban, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping) within the training and exams.  Because Lean is already so infused into the Quality continuum, one set of references should be adequate to support study preparations for up to 12 distinct certifications. 

 

Introductory:

• Certified Quality Improvement Associate
• Certified Six Sigma Yellow Belt

 

Tactical:

• Certified Six Sigma Green Belt
• Certified Quality Technician
• Certified Quality Inspector
• Certified Quality Process Analyst
• Certified Suppler Quality Professional
• Certified Lean Bronze (SME with ASQ contributions)

Professional:

• Certified Six Sigma Black Belt
• Certified Quality Auditor
• Certified Quality Engineer

Managerial:

• Certified Manager of Quality and Organizational Excellence

In addition to Lean, multiple certifications cover overlapping content for Quality BoK subjects including Statistical Process Control, Cost of Quality, and Design of Experiments.  The best approach is to contact existing long-term ASQ members who already have multiple certifications, which means they likely have a wealth of knowledge gathering dust on their bookshelves.  This reusability can support cost-effective training and the overall growth of professionalism within ASQ among members.

  

 

Eligibility:

 

This section refers to those activities which enable a person to attend or audit a training course or presentation without paying the full registration.  I have been able to do this by being a reviewer and auditor.  Also, if you are a presenter at a conference, one of the privileges is the ability to attend other sessions for free or at a discounted rate.
ASQ also provides its qualified members with the opportunity to be a behind-the scenes reviewer of content and questions. This requires some work and commitment, but the benefit is that participants actually get initial exposure to current knowledge and transcripts, and are literally paid to learn Quality.
When a new exam is released, early adopters have the ability to take the exams at a discounted rate.  These savings can be compounded as ASQ releases more training and certification options, or retools their existing offerings to incorporate technology and innovations.
This eligibility is one of the reasons and selling points for promoting each and every ASQ member to pursue and attain the level of Senior Member.  It does not cost anything to upgrade, and with the self-verification option, there should be no restriction once a member is eligible.  An additional benefit of ASQ senior members is the eligibility to receive a free ASQ journal, filled with important content that will also support professional development and knowledge within the Quality profession.
The expression "the rich get richer" has validity in ASQ because once a person gets established as an author, speaker, and contributor, more opportunities are presented to them to entice their participation in additional conferences and publications.  Surprisingly there is a shortage of knowledgeable speakers and authors, making this the perfect time to become involved. 
 

If your approach incorporates flexibility, reusability, and eligibility, your time and financial commitments will go farther, you will more quickly yield returns and cost recovery, and many advantages and savings will come your way. 

 

 

Comparison of Job Opportunities by ASQ Certification

I wanted to follow up on the validity of some claims regarding the relative demand for quality practitioners with ASQ credentials.  This is a snapshot of mid-August in Canada, operating in an economy challenged by low commodity prices, increased unemployment, and rising expenses.


This is a summary and comparison of different ASQ and Quality Credentials, and the relative demand for each.

 

Indeed is an aggregator site which shows job openings by keyword and location.  I have found this to be a reliable and relevant indicator of hiring activity.

 

http://ca.indeed.com

 

In this summary, I am simply comparing the outcomes of the different search results.  I don't have particular insights why a particular skill set is in demand while others are out of favor within their respective communities.  This also does not separate particular job descriptions which may be repeated because multiple certifications are referenced.

 

To summarize, I have categorized these into 3 groups: Six Sigma, ASQ-Core, and ASQ-Niche.  The ASQ-Core certifications are the three most popular: CQE, CQA, and CMQ/OE.  The ASQ-Niche reflect options which are more specialized including CSQE for Software, and Lean Bronze (from a partnership with SME.  To summarize the results below:




- Six Sigma is by far the strongest and most widely requested quality credential, with the highest salary ranges. GET YOUR ASQ SIX SIGMA BELTS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR JOB OPPORTUNITIES!!!

 

- ASQ-Core certifications like CQE and CQA have some demand but at a lower wage band than Six Sigma.  CMQ/OE has a minimal presence.   CORE ASQ CERTIFICATIONS NEED TO BE MORE EFFECTIVELY MARKETED IN CANADA!!!

 

- ASQ-Niche certifications have MINIMAL DEMAND IN CANADA. 

• Lean Bronze demand is minimal with the lowest stature and salary levels
• CSQE is requested only as part of an "all of the above" list of software credentials.
• Neither the Lean Bronze nor CSQE are distinct differentiators, but are included among a plethora of certification options for qualification and consideration.  

One drawback of this search is that some certification acronyms were common with other references or company names.  For example Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) had other meanings, returning disproportionately high results.

 

To offset regional disparities in industry and economic performance (particularly the unusual and sustained decline in resources and petroleum), the searches were made across Canada.  This would invoke the "Law of Large Numbers"

 

___________________________________________________________________

 

SIX SIGMA

 

 

 

If you are looking for new positions, a Six Sigma Black Belt provides the most opportunities disbursed across the widest range. 

 

Salary Estimate

• $70,000+ (114)
• $90,000+ (64)
• $110,000+ (27)
• $130,000+ (9)

Job Type

• Full-time (45)
• Permanent (23)
• Contract (5)
• Temporary (1)

Location

• Montréal, QC
• Toronto, ON
• Mississauga, ON
• London, ON
• Saskatchewan
• Oakville, ON
• Six Sigma Black Belt jobs nationwide

 

A Six Sigma Green Belt is also widely demanded in Canada

 

Salary Estimate

• $70,000+ (69)
• $90,000+ (33)
• $110,000+ (16)
• $130,000+ (2)
• $150,000+ (1)

Job Type

• Full-time (36)
• Contract (8)
• Permanent (8)
• Temporary (1)

Location

• Montréal, QC
• Toronto, ON
• Saskatchewan
• Mississauga, ON
• Markham, ON
• Six Sigma Green Belt jobs nationwide

 

In British Columbia, entering Six Sigma will return a wide range of open roles across multiple salary levels.

 

Salary Estimate

• $50,000+ (68)
• $70,000+ (56)
• $90,000+ (29)
• $110,000+ (13)
• $130,000+ (3)

Job Type

• Full-time (36)
• Permanent (8)
• Contract (2)
• Part-time (1)
• Temporary (1)

Location

• Vancouver, BC
• Burnaby, BC
• Richmond, BC
• North Vancouver, BC
• Six Sigma jobs nationwide

 

________________________________________________________________

 

ASQ-Core certifications consist of CQE, CQA, and CMQ/OE

 

CQE roles are in demand, but the average salary levels are below those of Six Sigma professionals.

 

Salary Estimate

• $50,000+ (59)
• $70,000+ (37)
• $90,000+ (7)

Job Type

• Full-time (24)
• Permanent (5)
• Contract (2)
• Temporary (2)

Location

• Windsor, ON
• Toronto, ON
• Vaughan, ON
• Cqe jobs nationwide

 

CQA also has a presence, but the salary ranges are at or near the CQE median

 

Salary Estimate

• $60,000+ (20)
• $80,000+ (8)

Job Type

• Full-time (9)
• Permanent (1)
• Temporary (1)

Location

• Ottawa, ON
• Toronto, ON
• Cqa jobs nationwide

 

The CMQ/OE, which is a very progressive certification based on a diverse and thorough body of knowledge, is barely referenced.

 

Salary Estimate

• $80,000+ (1)

Job Type

• Full-time (1)

Location

• Cmq/oe jobs nationwide

 

____________________________________________________________________

 

ASQ-NICHE Certifications

 

Lean Bronze job titles are Specialist/Advisor, which indicates a tactical role for novice or entry-level practitioners.

Job Type

• Full-time (2)
• Temporary (1)

Location

• Lean Bronze jobs nationwide

Although Lean Bronze is referenced, it is not an exclusive differentiator.  In one Quality Improvement Advisor posting, the Lean Bronze is listed as one several credentials, and is shown as being equivalent to a Six Sigma Green Belt or any of the ASQ certifications.


Technical Requirements and Professional Designations:
Minimum: One of: 
Lean six sigma green belt, SME Bronze Lean certification, IHI Improvement Advisor certification, American Society of Quality (ASQ) certification,

 

This is reinforced by the more specific searches in BC and Alberta.  The demand for this particular credential has not resonated into the requirements for any open roles out west.

 

 

 

 

CSQE is the Software Quality credential, which should resonate with the growing technology organizations like Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook, Google, and Oracle.  Unfortunately this credential is only demanded for software testing roles, and is not core to the hiring criteria.

 

Salary Estimate

• $80,000+ (2)

Job Type

• Contract (1)
• Full-time (1)

Location

• Csqe jobs nationwide

In one case, the CSQE was included among multiple credentials including the introductory CQIA, proving that the HR or Hiring Manager does not know the distinctions between the credentials.

 

Certification in one or more CAST, CMST, CSTE, CSTP, CTFL, CTAL, CMSQ , CSQA, CSQE, CQIA, CTAL-TA, CTAL-TTA, or equivalent.