American Society for Quality

American Society for Quality. The American Society for Quality is a global community of individuals and organizations dedicated to the advancement of quality management principles and practices. Founded in the post-World War II era, it has grown into a leading professional association that provides expertise, certification, and thought leadership in fields such as Six Sigma, lean manufacturing, and continuous improvement. Its work influences diverse sectors including aerospace, healthcare, and automotive manufacturing worldwide.

History

The organization was established on February 16, 1946, in Los Angeles, California, by a group of quality professionals including founding chair George D. Edwards. Its formation was a direct response to the industrial mobilization of World War II, which highlighted the critical need for standardized quality control methods in American industry. Early leadership from figures like Edwards Deming and Joseph M. Juran, who later became seminal voices in the quality revolution, was instrumental in shaping its initial direction. Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, it expanded its focus from statistical process control to embrace broader management philosophies, responding to the rise of Japanese manufacturing excellence and the subsequent Total Quality Management movement in the United States.

Organization and governance

Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the society operates through a network of over 100 local member-led sections across the United States and international communities in regions like Latin America and the Middle East. Governance is provided by a volunteer Board of Directors elected by the membership, which sets strategic direction, while day-to-day operations are managed by a professional staff led by a Chief Executive Officer. Key committees, such as the Technical Communities Council, oversee specialized interests in areas like the Automotive Division and the Healthcare Division. The society also maintains formal liaisons with other global bodies including the International Organization for Standardization and the American National Standards Institute.

Activities and programs

A core activity is its extensive professional certification program, which includes renowned credentials such as the Certified Quality Engineer, Certified Six Sigma Black Belt, and Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence. It hosts major conferences and events like the World Conference on Quality and Improvement and the ASQ Quality Summit, which draw thousands of practitioners annually. The society actively promotes quality awareness through initiatives like National Quality Month, observed each October, and administers prestigious awards including the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce) and the Shewhart Medal. Educational outreach includes training courses, webinars, and resources for academic institutions through its ASQ Education Division.

Publications and standards

The society is a prolific publisher of authoritative resources on quality disciplines. Its flagship periodical is Quality Progress magazine, while its scholarly journal, Journal of Quality Technology, is highly regarded in academic circles. It publishes numerous handbooks, such as the Juran's Quality Handbook, and develops influential standards, most notably the ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 and ANSI/ASQ Z1.9 standards for sampling procedures. Through its publishing arm, ASQ Quality Press, it disseminates works on topics ranging from root cause analysis to ISO 9001 implementation. The society also provides crucial administrative support for the U.S. Technical Advisory Group to ISO/TC 176, the committee responsible for the ISO 9000 family of standards.

Impact and recognition

The organization has profoundly shaped global industrial and service standards, with its certifications and body of knowledge becoming benchmarks for quality professionals in corporations like General Motors, Boeing, and Mayo Clinic. Its advocacy helped establish the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, which has driven performance excellence in U.S. organizations since 1987. The dissemination of methodologies like Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma through its training and literature has transformed operational practices worldwide. Recognized as a leading voice in the field, its work supports critical sectors including the Food and Drug Administration regulated industries and NASA projects, contributing to advancements in product safety, risk management, and organizational reliability.

Category:Professional associations based in the United States Category:Organizations established in 1946 Category:Quality management organizations