American Society For QualityEdit
The American Society for Quality (ASQ) is a global professional association dedicated to elevating performance and value through disciplined, data-driven approaches to quality. Founded in the aftermath of World War II to help American industry rebuild and compete, the organization has grown into a broad network that spans manufacturing, healthcare, government, education, and service sectors. ASQ emphasizes practical tools, certification pathways, and ongoing education that help firms cut waste, reduce defects, and deliver reliable products and services to customers. By promoting voluntary standards, professional development, and cross-sector collaboration, ASQ positions quality as a core competitive advantage in a free-market economy where customers reward consistency, accountability, and measurable results.
From its early roots as a meritocratic gathering of engineers and quality practitioners, ASQ has evolved into a worldwide community that champions continuous improvement as a driver of economic performance. The organization supports practitioners through training, certifications, conferences, and a practical knowledge base that translates statistical methods and process thinking into actionable practices on the factory floor, in the lab, or in a hospital ward. It maintains a strong emphasis on the observable link between quality metrics and business outcomes, including customer satisfaction, productivity, and profitability, which in turn underpins wage growth and job security for workers who operate in efficient, well-managed enterprises. The private sector orientation of ASQ—emphasizing voluntary adoption, market incentives, and competitive differentiation—is central to its philosophy: better quality is a prudent investment that pays off through fewer recalls, faster time-to-market, and more reliable supply chains.
ASQ’s scope is reflected in its programs, governance, and publications. It administers a suite of widely recognized certifications that signal competency in quality practice, process improvement, and organizational leadership. Certifications such as the Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), and the CMQ/OE (Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence) are designed to validate hands-on skill and leadership capability. In the realm of process improvement, ASQ promotes methodologies such as Six Sigma and Lean manufacturing, and it provides training and exams across the belt ladder—from yellow and green belts to black belts and master black belts. These credentials are used by employers as signals of capability in competitive hiring, supplier qualification, and project leadership. The organization also aligns with broader standards discussions and quality assurance practices by publishing guidance, case studies, and reference materials through resources like Quality Progress and peer-reviewed journals.
ASQ’s ecosystem includes deep engagement with standards, measurement, and knowledge sharing. It operates through global and local structures—sections and product-based communities—that connect practitioners with peers, mentors, and local employers. The organization’s events, notably the World Conference on Quality and Improvement, bring together managers, engineers, healthcare professionals, educators, and government personnel to share best practices, benchmark performance, and discuss emerging trends in analytics, risk management, and governance. Beyond certifications, ASQ supports ongoing education through training courses, online modules, and a vast knowledge center that translates theory into what works in real-world settings. For researchers and practitioners alike, ASQ serves as a bridge between statistical rigor and practical execution, helping teams implement reliable processes that reduce variation and improve outcomes.
History
- 1946: The organization traces its origins to a postwar push to rebuild American industry with reliable production. It begins as the American Society for Quality Control (ASQC) to promote standardized practices and professional development in quality disciplines. American Society for Quality Control emerges as a home for engineers and quality professionals seeking to coordinate methods like statistical process control and inspection-based quality assurance.
- 1950s–1960s: The quality movement expands with engineers and managers applying statistical tools, process thinking, and reliability concepts across manufacturing and service sectors. Influence from early quality pioneers such as W. Edwards Deming and Joseph M. Juran helps shape curricula and certification expectations, while ASQ strengthens its role as a practitioner-led professional society.
- 1997: The organization rebrands as the American Society for Quality (ASQ) to reflect its broadened mission beyond manufacturing and into services, healthcare, government, and education. The shift signals that disciplined quality is relevant across all sectors that interact with customers and taxpayers.
- 2000s–2010s: ASQ expands globally, increases digital training offerings, and intensifies its emphasis on Lean manufacturing and Six Sigma as mainstream approaches to improvement. It launches or expands programs, conferences, and publications that connect practitioners with real-world case studies, benchmarking data, and certification pathways.
- 2010s–present: The organization continues to adapt to digital and analytics-enabled quality management, stressing data-driven decision making, risk-based thinking, and the integration of quality with supply chain resilience. It maintains a global network of members, sections, and partners and remains a key voice for voluntary, market-based quality improvements in both private and public sectors.
Programs and resources
- Certifications: ASQ offers a portfolio of credentials that validate hands-on competence in quality practice and leadership. Notable examples include the Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), and the CMQ/OE (Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence). In the realm of process improvement, ASQ administers designations for Six Sigma professionals, including Yellow Belt, Green Belt, Black Belt, and Master Black Belt, alongside related training in Lean manufacturing. These certifications are widely used by employers to identify capable managers, process owners, and project leads who can deliver measurable improvements.
- Education and training: In addition to exams, ASQ runs courses, webinars, and a knowledge center that translate theory into practical skill. This education infrastructure helps individuals build and maintain proficiency in data analysis, measurement systems, failure mode and effects analysis, and other quality tools.
- Publications and knowledge resources: The organization publishes magazines, journals, and guidance—most notably Quality Progress—as well as reference works through its publishing arm. These materials help practitioners stay current on industry trends, new tools, and case studies from diverse sectors.
- Standards and benchmarking: ASQ provides guidance and benchmarking resources that help organizations compare performance, implement best practices, and pursue continuous improvement. While not a standards-setting body in the sense of formal international standards, ASQ’s guidance aligns with widely adopted frameworks and complements official standards such as ISO 9001.
- Global and local presence: The structure includes regional sections and networks across the world, enabling practitioners to share experiences, access local events, and recruit talent. This community aspect supports professional development and knowledge transfer across industries.
Controversies and debates
Like any private-sector-driven professional society focused on standards and certifications, ASQ sits at the intersection of market incentives, practitioner autonomy, and public interest. From a pragmatic, market-oriented vantage point, several debates are common:
- Costs and small business effects: Critics sometimes argue that certification programs and the associated training costs create barriers for small firms. Proponents respond that the investments yield long-run savings through reduced defects, fewer recalls, and greater efficiency, which can be decisive in competitive markets and procurement environments. The voluntary nature of these programs means firms can choose the level of engagement that fits their strategy, while customers often favor suppliers with demonstrated capabilities.
- Standardization vs. innovation: Some observers contend that heavy standardization can hinder experimentation. The right-hand view typically emphasizes that well-designed standards reduce risk, enable interoperability, and provide a stable platform for innovation to occur within a known framework. In practice, ASQ’s tools are intended to accelerate development cycles by clarifying requirements, measuring outcomes, and removing ambiguity from processes.
- Certification gatekeeping: There are concerns that a formal certification regime may overemphasize exam performance at the expense of practical judgment or on-the-job learning. Supporters argue that certifications signal verified competence and commitment to quality, while on-the-job training and experience continue to be essential components of professional development.
- Global competition and offshoring: Some debates focus on whether quality standards contribute to domestic competitiveness or merely reflect global supply chains. The right-leaning perspective highlights that robust quality practices reduce risk, improve reliability, and lower total cost of ownership for buyers, which strengthens domestic industries and helps positions in international markets. Advocates contend that voluntary private-sector standards are preferable to government-mominated mandates, because they adapt more quickly to market conditions and technological change.
- Politics of standards discourse: Critics may allege that certain quality programs are used to advance non-technical agendas. The pragmatic view offered here is that ASQ’s core mission—improving customer value through measurable performance—rests on observable outcomes (defect rates, process capability, delivery reliability) rather than ideological aims. When debates arise, the emphasis is typically on empirical results, cost effectiveness, and real-world applicability rather than political gatekeeping.