American Society for Quality

The American Society for Quality (ASQ), formerly the American Society for Quality Control (ASQC), is a society of quality professionals, with more than 40,000 members.

American Society for Quality (ASQ)
AbbreviationASQ
Formation16 February 1946; 78 years ago (1946-02-16)
FounderGeorge D. Edwards
TypeProfessional association
PurposeTo provide the quality community with training, professional certifications, and knowledge to a vast network of members of the global quality community.
HeadquartersMilwaukee, Wisconsin
Coordinates43°02′15″N 87°54′40″W / 43.03740°N 87.91117°W / 43.03740; -87.91117
Region served
Worldwide
ServicesCertification, training, publications, conferences
Membership40000 (approximately) (2013)
Chair
Francisco "Paco" Santos
Chair-elect
Wanda Sturm
Treasurer
Kerry Bass
Main organ
Board of directors
AffiliationsExemplar Global, ASQExcellence
Websiteasq.org
Formerly called
American Society for Quality Control
ASQ Center in Milwaukee
ASQ registration booth at America's Center in St. Louis for the 2010 meeting on 24 May

ASQ is a global organization with members in more than 140 countries. ASQ operates regional centers in North Asia, South Asia, and Latin America, and has established strategic alliances with organizations through the World Partners® Program[1] in countries like Japan, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates to promote ASQ products and training.[1]

History

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ASQC was established on 16 February 1946 by 253 members in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with George D. Edwards as its first president. The organization was first created as a way for quality experts and manufacturers to sustain quality-improvement techniques used during World War II.[2][3]

In 1948, ASQC's Code of Ethics establishes standards for members to conduct their activities and business. Business writer Armand V. Feigenbaum served as president of the society in 1961–63.[4]

In 1997, the members of the organization voted to change its name from "American Society for Quality Control" to "American Society for Quality".[5]

Quality

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ASQ provides its members with certification, training, publications, conferences, and other services. ASQ is a founding partner of the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), a quarterly economic indicator.

Since 1989,[6] ASQ has administered the annual Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.[7][8] The ASQ also gives the Dorian Shainin Medal, which is awarded annually for the "Development and Application of Creative or Unique Statistical Approaches in the Solving of Problems Relative to the Quality of Product or Service".[9]

Certifications

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ASQ offers 18 professional certifications relating to various aspects of the quality profession. Professional certification exams are translated into five languages included English, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, and Spanish.[10] Exams are given nationally and, to a limited degree, worldwide several times annually. The body of knowledge for each certification is maintained through peer review every few years on a rotating schedule.

In 1968, the first ASQ certification was offered.[11][12]

In 2016, ASQ's certification exam delivery method changed from paper to computer-based testing at Prometric nationwide testing facilities.[13][14]

List of ASQ Certifications[15]
Category Abbr. Title Description
Management CMQ/OE Certified Manager of Quality/ Organizational Excellence
Management CSQP Certified Supplier Quality Professional
Foundational Quality CQIA Certified Quality Improvement Associate
Foundational Quality CQPA Certified Quality Process Analyst
Inspector/Technician CCT Certified Calibration Technician
Inspector/Technician CQI Certified Quality Inspector
Inspector/Technician CQT Certified Quality Technician
Engineering CQE Certified Quality Engineer
Engineering CRE Certified Reliability Engineer
Engineering CSQE Certified Software Quality Engineer
Six Sigma CSSBB Certified Six Sigma Black Belt
Six Sigma CSSGB Certified Six Sigma Green Belt
Six Sigma CSSYB Certified Six Sigma Yellow Belt
Six Sigma CMBB Certified Master Black Belt
Auditing CFSQA Certified Food Safety and Quality Auditor
Auditing CMDA Certified Medical Device Auditor
Auditing CPGP Certified Pharmaceutical GMP Professional
Auditing CQA Certified Quality Auditor

Publications

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ASQ publishes a range of magazines and journals:[16]

  • Quality Progress
  • Journal for Quality and Participation
  • Journal of Quality Technology
  • Quality Engineering
  • Quality Management Journal
  • Lean & Six Sigma Review
  • Software Quality Professional
  • Technometrics
  • Journal for Quality Perspectives in Knowledge Acquisition
  • Quality Management Forum
  • Primers on Human Development and Leadership

Conferences

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ASQ hosts a number of quality events and annual conferences worldwide:[17]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "World Partners® | ASQ". asq.org. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
  2. ^ "The ASQ Timeline | ASQ". asq.org. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  3. ^ "ASQ Archives - A Brief History of ASQ". archives.library.illinois.edu. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  4. ^ ASQ, A. V. Feigenbaum, accessed 27 July 2021
  5. ^ AQL Inspector's Rule Archived 1 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine, accessed 28 November 2017
  6. ^ "ASQ Receives New Contract for Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award". asq.org. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
  7. ^ "Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA)". ASQ. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  8. ^ Brian Cazzell, Jeffrey M. Ulmer (May 2009). "Measuring Excellence: A Closer Look at Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Winners in the Manufacturing Category". Journal of Technology Management & Innovation. 4 (1): 134–142. doi:10.4067/S0718-27242009000100012. ISSN 0718-2724.
  9. ^ "Shainin Medal - ASQ". Retrieved 23 October 2016.
  10. ^ "ASQ's Influence". www.qualitymag.com. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
  11. ^ Newcomb, William O. "ASQ Certification: A Brief History". Quality Progress. January 2010. p. 43.
  12. ^ "ASQ Certification at 50". ASQTV. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  13. ^ "Quality Certification Computer Based Testing by Prometric | ASQ". asq.org. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  14. ^ "Home". www.prometric.com. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  15. ^ "Certification Catalog - Get Professionally Certified | ASQ". www.asq.org. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  16. ^ "Magazines and Journals". ASQ. January 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  17. ^ "Quality Conferences and Events | ASQ". asq.org. Retrieved 26 July 2018.