American Society for Quality

Coordinates: 43°02′15″N 87°54′40″W / 43.03740°N 87.91117°W / 43.03740; -87.91117
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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
Membership
40000 (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

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.

History[edit]

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.[1][2]

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.[3]

In 1997, the members of the organization voted to change its name from "American Society for Quality Control" to "American Society for Quality".[4]

Today, 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[5] in countries like Japan, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates to promote ASQ products and training.[5]

Quality[edit]

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[edit]

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]

Publications[edit]

ASQ publishes a range of magazines and journals:[15]

Conferences[edit]

ASQ hosts a number of quality events and annual conferences worldwide:[16]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "The ASQ Timeline | ASQ". asq.org. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  2. ^ "ASQ Archives - A Brief History of ASQ". archives.library.illinois.edu. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  3. ^ ASQ, A. V. Feigenbaum, accessed 27 July 2021
  4. ^ AQL Inspector's Rule Archived 1 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine, accessed 28 November 2017
  5. ^ a b "World Partners® | ASQ". asq.org. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
  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. ^ "Magazines and Journals". ASQ. January 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  16. ^ "Quality Conferences and Events | ASQ". asq.org. Retrieved 26 July 2018.