American Society for Quality

American Society for Quality
Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	American Society for Quality
Formation	1946
Location	Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Region served	United States
Membership	70,000

American Society for Quality is a global community of experts and organizations dedicated to improving quality and Six Sigma practices, with roots dating back to the American Society for Quality Control founded in 1946 by George Edwards, Harold F. Dodge, and W. Edwards Deming. The organization has since grown to include over 70,000 members, including professionals from General Electric, Ford Motor Company, and IBM. The society's mission is to advance quality management practices, as advocated by Joseph Juran and Philip Crosby, and to provide a platform for professionals to share knowledge and best practices, such as those implemented by Toyota Motor Corporation and Lockheed Martin. The organization has also collaborated with other prominent quality-focused organizations, including the International Organization for Standardization and the American National Standards Institute.

● History

The American Society for Quality has a rich history, dating back to the post-World War II era, when there was a growing need for quality control in the United States manufacturing sector, as highlighted by W. Edwards Deming in his work with the United States Department of War. The organization was founded by a group of visionaries, including George Edwards, who served as the first president, and Harold F. Dodge, a renowned statistician from Bell Labs. The society's early years were marked by significant growth, with the establishment of local sections, such as the New York Section and the Los Angeles Section, and the development of quality control standards, including the ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 standard. The organization has also been influenced by the work of notable quality experts, including Armand V. Feigenbaum, Kaoru Ishikawa, and Genichi Taguchi.

● Organization

The American Society for Quality is a non-profit organization with a global presence, including members from Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The organization is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is governed by a board of directors comprising prominent quality professionals from organizations such as 3M, Caterpillar Inc., and Procter & Gamble. The society has a strong network of local sections, including the Chicago Section and the San Francisco Section, which provide opportunities for members to engage in professional development and networking with other quality professionals from companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Johnson & Johnson. The organization also collaborates with other prominent quality-focused organizations, including the American Statistical Association and the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers.

● Certifications

The American Society for Quality offers a range of certification programs, including the Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) and the Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB), which are recognized by organizations such as Boeing, Cisco Systems, and Dell. These certifications are designed to demonstrate an individual's expertise in quality management and process improvement, and are based on the principles of total quality management (TQM) and continuous improvement, as advocated by Taiichi Ohno and Shigeo Shingo. The society also offers certifications in specialized areas, such as auditing and supply chain management, which are relevant to industries like aerospace, automotive, and healthcare, and are recognized by organizations such as NASA, General Motors, and Mayo Clinic.

● Publications

The American Society for Quality publishes a range of publications, including the Journal of Quality Technology and Quality Progress magazine, which feature articles and research papers on topics such as quality control, statistical process control, and lean manufacturing, written by experts from organizations like Harvard University, Stanford University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The society also publishes books and e-books on quality-related topics, including quality management systems and risk management, which are relevant to industries like finance, energy, and environmental management, and are recognized by organizations such as ExxonMobil, Chevron, and Environmental Protection Agency. The organization's publications are widely read by quality professionals from companies like Apple, Google, and Facebook.

● Conferences_and_Meetings

The American Society for Quality hosts a range of conferences and meetings throughout the year, including the World Conference on Quality and Improvement and the Annual Quality Conference, which attract attendees from organizations like Siemens, BASF, and Coca-Cola. These events provide opportunities for quality professionals to share knowledge, network, and learn about the latest developments in quality management and process improvement, as presented by experts from organizations like McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group, and Deloitte. The society also offers webinars and online courses on topics such as quality auditing and supply chain management, which are relevant to industries like logistics, transportation, and construction, and are recognized by organizations such as United Parcel Service, FedEx, and Bechtel Group.

● Membership

The American Society for Quality has a diverse membership base, comprising professionals from a range of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and finance, from organizations like Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo. Members have access to a range of benefits, including professional development opportunities, networking events, and discounts on certification programs and publications, which are recognized by organizations like American Express, Visa, and Mastercard. The society also offers student membership and young professional membership options, which provide opportunities for individuals to develop their skills and advance their careers in quality management, as supported by organizations like National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and Department of Education. The organization's members are employed by companies like Walmart, ExxonMobil, and Procter & Gamble, and are recognized as leaders in their fields, including quality management, operations management, and supply chain management.

Category:Quality organizations