The American Society for Quality (ASQ)
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Quality all the way
It is in the feel of a well-made garment in your hand. It is the taste and presentation of an exquisite restaurant meal; a school that consistently turns out students who are ready to take on the world; a hospital that goes the extra mile for every patient. Quality: That’s what these examples are all about.
The American Society for Quality (ASQ) strives to educate others about what quality means: how to use time-tested principles and methods to improve processes whatever line of work it may be. With more than 100,000 individual and organizational members from various fields, ASQ is the world’s leading authority on quality.
ASQ was born in the days when “quality control” usually meant ensuring manufactured products were free of defects. Manufacturing is still an important part of what they do, however the association has also evolved into much more. Virtually any process can benefit from the quality tools and techniques you’ll find on its website, a portal of information.
Headquartered in Milwaukee, ASQ is the sponsor of the American Customers Satisfaction Index (ACSI), a widely monitored economic indicator that rates customer satisfaction with a wide range of goods and services. The association is also the sole administrator of the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award since 1991.
Founded in 1946, ASQ offers technologies, concepts, tools, training and an active network of quality practitioners second to none. In fact, many of its board members and leaders are able go on the speaking circuit for events, seminars and conventions to discuss topics, such as ASQ’s Futures Study and Innovation. ASQ also provides the Quarterly Quality Report, which measures customer perceptions of the quality and reliability of products and services.
Overview of support services
Each industry features its own library as well as training, networking and news resources. Here’s a brief overview of its areas of specialty.
Government
In today’s economic and political climate, governments must find ways to trim costs and manage cash-flow while continuing to deliver excellent customer service. Elected officials are challenging their departments to increase efficiency, prevent errors and provide their constituents with more value for their tax dollars. ASQ can help government agencies take full advantage of performance-improvement tools to measure, track and improve internal processes and customer satisfaction.
For individuals in state, local, and federal government committed to the application of quality management principles and concepts within the operation of public sector agencies, ASQ is helpful. “Quality tools are very useful in our program. They provide an opportunity to measure, assess and document the impact and difference we’ve made with the population-based services we provide,” tells Bill Borzon, an ASQ member since 2005.
Healthcare
For providers of healthcare services, ASQ is a hub of information relating to applications, current research and innovations in the quality theory and practice in healthcare. In fact, ASQ is a leader in providing resources, training, certification and networking opportunities to professionals in healthcare.
Quality professionals across all segments of healthcare use ASQ’s resources to improve their quality of care, patient safety and satisfaction, organizational efficiencies and the bottom line. Moreover, ASQ’s website provides a wealth of detailed information from cost-saving tips to case studies.
Manufacturing
For those in today’s rapidly evolving and increasingly competitive manufacturing environment, ASQ offers helpful tools, resources and solutions to help manufacturers stay on top of the best ways to design, produce, sell and deliver products. One testimonial from MWM International claims that changes in purchasing processes for the most basic manufacturing components like bolts actually lead to $1 million in cost savings.
When competing in a global marketplace, today’s manufacturing environment must constantly evolve in order to adapt to the latest advances in technology. For that reason, manufacturers are constantly looking for new ways to design, produce, sell and deliver products. That’s why they go to ASQ for targeted medical devices, food safety, pharma, aerospace, and supplier quality. Moreover, ASQ helps organizations by providing business solutions to improve bottom-line results; improving operational processes; identifying problems and solutions quickly and systematically, as well as reducing waste and cycle time and equipping companies with effective supply chain management methods.
Education
For educators and administrators from the public and private sectors who want to explore and promote the use of quality principles in all aspects and all levels of education, ASQ provides a one-stop shop for information. Using the frameworks of quality in school districts will provide roadmaps for continuous improvement and help shape our future. “The district’s five high schools all address student achievement in their school-improvement plans. The results during the past five school years have been exceptional,” tells Terry Holliday, Iredell-Statesville School District Superintendent.
Moving into the future, the American Society of Quality will continue to help people—from everyday consumers to seasoned professionals—learn more about quality and use what they learn to create better workplaces and communities worldwide.
It is in the feel of a well-made garment in your hand. It is the taste and presentation of an exquisite restaurant meal; a school that consistently turns out students who are ready to take on the world; a hospital that goes the extra mile for every patient. Quality: That’s what these examples are all about.
The American Society for Quality (ASQ) strives to educate others about what quality means: how to use time-tested principles and methods to improve processes whatever line of work it may be. With more than 100,000 individual and organizational members from various fields, ASQ is the world’s leading authority on quality.
ASQ was born in the days when “quality control” usually meant ensuring manufactured products were free of defects. Manufacturing is still an important part of what they do, however the association has also evolved into much more. Virtually any process can benefit from the quality tools and techniques you’ll find on its website, a portal of information.
Headquartered in Milwaukee, ASQ is the sponsor of the American Customers Satisfaction Index (ACSI), a widely monitored economic indicator that rates customer satisfaction with a wide range of goods and services. The association is also the sole administrator of the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award since 1991.
Founded in 1946, ASQ offers technologies, concepts, tools, training and an active network of quality practitioners second to none. In fact, many of its board members and leaders are able go on the speaking circuit for events, seminars and conventions to discuss topics, such as ASQ’s Futures Study and Innovation. ASQ also provides the Quarterly Quality Report, which measures customer perceptions of the quality and reliability of products and services.
Overview of support services
Each industry features its own library as well as training, networking and news resources. Here’s a brief overview of its areas of specialty.
Government
In today’s economic and political climate, governments must find ways to trim costs and manage cash-flow while continuing to deliver excellent customer service. Elected officials are challenging their departments to increase efficiency, prevent errors and provide their constituents with more value for their tax dollars. ASQ can help government agencies take full advantage of performance-improvement tools to measure, track and improve internal processes and customer satisfaction.
For individuals in state, local, and federal government committed to the application of quality management principles and concepts within the operation of public sector agencies, ASQ is helpful. “Quality tools are very useful in our program. They provide an opportunity to measure, assess and document the impact and difference we’ve made with the population-based services we provide,” tells Bill Borzon, an ASQ member since 2005.
Healthcare
For providers of healthcare services, ASQ is a hub of information relating to applications, current research and innovations in the quality theory and practice in healthcare. In fact, ASQ is a leader in providing resources, training, certification and networking opportunities to professionals in healthcare.
Quality professionals across all segments of healthcare use ASQ’s resources to improve their quality of care, patient safety and satisfaction, organizational efficiencies and the bottom line. Moreover, ASQ’s website provides a wealth of detailed information from cost-saving tips to case studies.
Manufacturing
For those in today’s rapidly evolving and increasingly competitive manufacturing environment, ASQ offers helpful tools, resources and solutions to help manufacturers stay on top of the best ways to design, produce, sell and deliver products. One testimonial from MWM International claims that changes in purchasing processes for the most basic manufacturing components like bolts actually lead to $1 million in cost savings.
When competing in a global marketplace, today’s manufacturing environment must constantly evolve in order to adapt to the latest advances in technology. For that reason, manufacturers are constantly looking for new ways to design, produce, sell and deliver products. That’s why they go to ASQ for targeted medical devices, food safety, pharma, aerospace, and supplier quality. Moreover, ASQ helps organizations by providing business solutions to improve bottom-line results; improving operational processes; identifying problems and solutions quickly and systematically, as well as reducing waste and cycle time and equipping companies with effective supply chain management methods.
Education
For educators and administrators from the public and private sectors who want to explore and promote the use of quality principles in all aspects and all levels of education, ASQ provides a one-stop shop for information. Using the frameworks of quality in school districts will provide roadmaps for continuous improvement and help shape our future. “The district’s five high schools all address student achievement in their school-improvement plans. The results during the past five school years have been exceptional,” tells Terry Holliday, Iredell-Statesville School District Superintendent.
Moving into the future, the American Society of Quality will continue to help people—from everyday consumers to seasoned professionals—learn more about quality and use what they learn to create better workplaces and communities worldwide.
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