For quality professionals and non-quality professionals who may have not delved into Lean Six Sigma (LSS), this article provides a good summary. The LSS methodology combines the principles of Lean (focusing on reducing waste and inefficiency) and Six Sigma (aiming to minimize defects and variations in processes). LSS is described as a data-driven process improvement methodology … [Read more...] about Lean Six Sigma: Definition, Principles, and Benefits
Quality Metrics and Their Reporting
This fairly practical article emphasizes the significance of quality metrics in organizations, offering a methodology for effectively selecting, tracking, and reporting these metrics. The article outlines that quality metrics should be monitored to benefit the enterprise. Good metrics are described as providing an unbiased performance assessment and maintaining a balance … [Read more...] about Quality Metrics and Their Reporting
Quality 4.0: Learning Quality Control, The Evolution of Statistical Quality Control
This article introduces a new concept called Learning Quality Control (LQC), an evolution of Statistical Quality Control (SQC). LQC is a process monitoring system that leverages machine learning and deep learning to enhance quality control in manufacturing. It focuses on real-time defect prediction or detection using historical samples, which include process measurements and … [Read more...] about Quality 4.0: Learning Quality Control, The Evolution of Statistical Quality Control
Evaluating And Validating A Supplier’s Quality The Right Way
This article discusses the importance and methods of assessing a supplier's quality in manufacturing and production processes. The article emphasizes that a supplier's quality directly affects the final product's quality. It categorizes supplier quality into two key aspects: their operational behavior and support towards customers and their ability to provide the best quality … [Read more...] about Evaluating And Validating A Supplier’s Quality The Right Way
A Process for All Reasons: Satisfying Customers, Stakeholders, and Budgets
In this article, Ian Lazarus discusses the challenges of balancing customer satisfaction, stakeholder interests, and budget constraints in process improvement and design. Lazarus starts by addressing the dilemma of creating enduring quality in products and processes, particularly when faced with the desire for rich and flexible design. He points out that simply saying “no” to … [Read more...] about A Process for All Reasons: Satisfying Customers, Stakeholders, and Budgets
How to Reduce Manufacturing Costs with Connected Worker Software
This article explores the impact of connected worker software in reducing manufacturing costs. The article begins by noting the significant costs associated with poor quality in manufacturing, as reported by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). These costs can range from 10% to 40% of revenue, translating to substantial losses for large manufacturers. The article argues that … [Read more...] about How to Reduce Manufacturing Costs with Connected Worker Software
Deciding Which Events to Escalate Into a CAPA System
The article discusses the importance of a Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) system within a quality management system (QMS), particularly for organizations needing to comply with FDA regulations and ISO standards. A CAPA process is crucial for analyzing customer complaints and non-conformances to identify and implement corrective and preventive actions. Corrective action … [Read more...] about Deciding Which Events to Escalate Into a CAPA System
ISO 9001 Clause 7.5.3 Control of Documented Information, Explained
Clause 7.5.3 of ISO 9001, titled "Control of Documented Information," is critical to implementing and maintaining a quality management system (QMS) compliant with ISO 9001:2015 standards. This clause necessitates the organization to systematically organize and collect essential information pertinent to various processes and develop simplified, user-friendly materials suitable … [Read more...] about ISO 9001 Clause 7.5.3 Control of Documented Information, Explained
Coordinating Quality Decisions in a Two-Stage Supply Chain under Buyer Dominance
This academic article investigates quality decision-making in a two-stage supply chain under buyer dominance. The research delves into the complexities of quality control in supply chains, noting that increased screening efforts can considerably affect consumer satisfaction by reducing product returns and boosting demand. However, one key issue is that one actor in the supply … [Read more...] about Coordinating Quality Decisions in a Two-Stage Supply Chain under Buyer Dominance
NIST’s 2023 Annual Report on the U.S. Manufacturing Economy
The National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) 2023 report on the U.S. Manufacturing Economy focuses on comparing U.S. industry to other countries, trends in the domestic sector, and industry trends compared to other countries. The report highlights the U.S. as a major manufacturing nation but notes that other countries are rising rapidly.In 2021, the global … [Read more...] about NIST’s 2023 Annual Report on the U.S. Manufacturing Economy
A Benefit Costing Process for Lean Six Sigma Programs
This academic study published in "The TQM Journal," addresses the gap between financial measurement and Lean Six Sigma (LSS) methodologies in process improvement initiatives. The study aims to enhance employee engagement by designing a process and a benefit measuring methodology that aligns with financial metrics and LSS principles, particularly in eliminating waste.The … [Read more...] about A Benefit Costing Process for Lean Six Sigma Programs
ASQ Releases 2023 Insights On Excellence Category Report
(Must enter contact information to receive full PDF report)The 2023 "ASQE Insights On Excellence Category Report" analyzes the trends and shifts in quality management practices across various industries. The quality report, based on data collected via a survey in 2022, builds upon foundational data established since 2020 and introduces a new category focused on Environmental, … [Read more...] about ASQ Releases 2023 Insights On Excellence Category Report
What Quality Management Trends to Watch For in 2024
The evolving landscape of quality management emphasizes the integration of new technologies and methodologies to enhance efficiency, reduce risks, and promote operational excellence. The article points out several critical trends expected to impact the quality management field significantly by 2024, such as machine learning.One major trend is augmented analytics, which … [Read more...] about What Quality Management Trends to Watch For in 2024
“Does ISO 9001 really require THAT?”
A common issue faced by professionals working with the ISO 9001 standard involves dealing with individuals who misinterpret the standard's requirements in extreme ways. The article describes scenarios where people, sometimes even auditors, assert that ISO 9001 requires absurd or overly specific practices, such as documenting paper clip usage or placing clear labels on items. … [Read more...] about “Does ISO 9001 really require THAT?”
ESG compliance: What It Is and Why It’s Important to Start Preparing Now
This article highlights the importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compliance for organizations. ESG compliance involves adhering to environmental protection, social responsibility, and corporate governance guidelines. These guidelines may be set by government and regulatory bodies or internally developed by organizations. The article emphasizes that ESG … [Read more...] about ESG compliance: What It Is and Why It’s Important to Start Preparing Now
The Market Guide for Data Masking
The article delves into the evolution and significance of data masking (DM) in the context of modern data security. With the rapid modernization of data and analytics (D&A) architectures, there's a growing need to mask sensitive data at scale. Data masking is a mature technology that deidentifies data while retaining some analytical capabilities. The rise in privacy … [Read more...] about The Market Guide for Data Masking
A Primer on Cyber Insurance and the Use of Models
The article traces the history and evolution of cybercrime, from the world's first alleged cybercrime in 1834, when attackers hacked the telegraph system in France, to the modern-day surge in cyberattacks since the 2010s. Despite the overshadowing of cyber risks by other global concerns in the 2022 World Economic Forum's annual risk tabulation, cyber threats remain a … [Read more...] about A Primer on Cyber Insurance and the Use of Models
How to Build and Maintain a Risk Register
A risk register is a vital tool for organizations, serving as an information repository to document the various risks they face and the measures taken to address them. The article emphasizes the increasing probability, severity, and innovation of cyber-attacks and the challenges many organizations face in integrating cybersecurity risk into their enterprise risk management … [Read more...] about How to Build and Maintain a Risk Register
ISO 27001:2013 & ISO 27001:2022: How Different Are They?
The article provides a detailed comparison between the ISO/IEC 27001:2013 and ISO/IEC 27001:2022 standards, highlighting the changes and updates made in the 2022 revision. One notable change is replacing the term "International Standard" with "document" throughout the standard. Additionally, there have been rewordings in various clauses to enhance clarity and precision. For … [Read more...] about ISO 27001:2013 & ISO 27001:2022: How Different Are They?
What Is SIEM?
"Security Information and Event Management" (SIEM) is a security management approach that merges security information management (SIM) and security event management (SEM) into a single system. The primary objective of SIEM is to aggregate data from various sources, pinpoint changes from the norm, and pursue necessary actions, such as logging additional information or generating … [Read more...] about What Is SIEM?