ASQ Manufacturing Quality News

ASQ Healthcare Quality Coaches' Radio Interview on "Detroit Today"

nziarek@asq.org (ASQ Manufacturing Market) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:42:33 +0000

With tools taken from the assembly line, local automotive quality engineers volunteer in a unique Michigan program to help doctors improve patient care and make their offices more efficient. The engineers serve as quality coaches, and look to improve processes and reduce wasted time and effort. Rose Steiner and Lou Ann Lathrop discuss the beginnings of the program and what they hope to accomplish for patients and healthcare in Detroit. Steiner is the director of Michigan Improving Performance in Practice. Lathrop is a former GM engineer and member of ASQ. ASQ recruits quality coaches for the program.

Use Quality Tools to Establish Specifications (Food Safety)

nziarek@asq.org (ASQ Manufacturing Market) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:36:25 +0000

Part 4 of 4: Janet Raddatz discusses how you use quality tools to develop specifications that meet your needs and customers' needs. (MP3, 6.03 MB, 12:52)

Medical Device Manufacturer's Continuous Improvement Approach Reduces Errors in Records

nziarek@asq.org (ASQ Manufacturing Market) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:14:46 +0000

MEDRAD, a medical device manufacturer, devoted tremendous resources—both human and financial—to maintaining the paper trails required in a government-regulated environment. The manual record-keeping processes related to product history records for each medical device assembled by the company were not only time consuming, but also prone to high error rates. In 2004, routine floor audits uncovered that up to 20 percent of all in-process device history record (DHR) packets contained an error. The data captured the attention of company leaders in the compliance and manufacturing areas and led to a continuous improvement project to reduce the error rates.

ISO 26000: Why did the U.S. vote no?

nziarek@asq.org (ASQ Manufacturing Market) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:02:33 +0000

The latest draft of ISO 26000, the upcoming standard on social responsibility, received two-thirds approval from the international committee developing it. But the contingent from the United States voted no. In this mp3 interview Bowers, immediate past president of the U.S. group, explains why the United States didn't support the current draft, and why she believes ISO 26000 is still on track for a 2010 release. (5:13)

NIST Now Stands for "Newest Internet SupersTar"

nziarek@asq.org (ASQ Manufacturing Market) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:19:19 +0000

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has launched its own YouTube channel. The channel offers videos that range from the lighthearted -- don't miss the lowdown on pig-manure biofuel, or the recap of a recent nano-bot soccer tournament that took place under microscopes -- to more serious subjects, including NIST's groundbreaking investigation of why Building 7 at the World Trade Center collapsed on 9/11.

As the Pharma World Evolves, Statistics Keep Companies Strong

nziarek@asq.org (ASQ Manufacturing Market) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:14:59 +0000

The pharmaceutical industry is changing -- rapidly. Successful companies need to navigate new global competition, new FDA demands and expectations that the drug-development process will move more quickly. The current issue of the Journal of Quality Technology offers an in-depth look, complete with case studies, at how pharmaceutical companies are using statistical thinking and methods to stay competitive. The authors include staff from GlaxoSmithKline, Merck and Pfizer. Open Access.

Teamwork is everything -- when the team works, that is

nziarek@asq.org (ASQ Manufacturing Market) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:59:23 +0000

It seems only fitting, given the renewed interest in teamwork sparked by a certain March sporting tournament, to focus on ways to make teams work better. In the latest Quality Management Journal, William Norton and Lyle Sussman explore the development and deployment of "team charters" as tools to link a company's mission statement with ground-level activities. They offer specific guidance on the content of team charters, suggest some ways to use them effectively, and discuss limitations. Open Access (with free registration required)

Sweet, Delicious Social Responsibility

nziarek@asq.org (ASQ Manufacturing Market) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:56:21 +0000

Jerry Greenfield, of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream fame, speaks with ASQ's John Van Slyke about how and why social responsibility has been at his company's core since its inception - and how they've turned the notion that SR hinders profitability on its head.

The Real World of Engineering Webinar

nziarek@asq.org (ASQ Manufacturing Market) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 23:31:25 +0000

Engineers build things. They make things better - cell phones, computers, buildings, cars, the environment, healthcare, and more. Hear engineers' career stories, and get an idea of the cool things you can do as an engineer.

ASNI kicks off contest for papers on global accreditation

nziarek@asq.org (ASQ Manufacturing Market) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 20:39:12 +0000

ANSI is kicking off its celebration of International Accreditation Day on June 9 with a paper competition. Entries must explore the value of accreditation in the global marketplace. The deadline for entries is Friday, April 24.

Creating a Culture of Quality – Free Webinar

nziarek@asq.org (ASQ Manufacturing Market) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 16:47:11 +0000

Quality isn’t the work of one person. You need to engage your whole organization. Learn how Ford did just that — with great success. June 2008.

Six Sigma: "Don't Fear the Math"

nziarek@asq.org (ASQ Manufacturing Market) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 19:41:01 +0000

Rama Shankar discusses her new book, Process Improvement Using Six Sigma. Some would-be Six Sigma users are afraid of using calculation data to support decision-making. Others develop "analysis paralysis" and can't see past the math to the question they started with. Shankar offers guidance for staying focused and "having fun" with the math aspects of Six Sigma, and staying focused on the process, not the tools. (mp3 format, 4:05)

Supplier Quality

nziarek@asq.org (ASQ Manufacturing Market) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:27:37 +0000

Build stronger relationships with your suppliers.

The Future of Quality (Audio)

nziarek@asq.org (ASQ Manufacturing Market) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:38:25 +0000

Paul Borawski, ASQ's Executive Director and Chief Strategic Officer, breaks down ASQ's 2008 Future of Quality Study, and the key forces that will affect quality -- and the world -- in years to come. The full presentation is provided in audio (mp3) format.

The Future of Quality (Video)

nziarek@asq.org (ASQ Manufacturing Market) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:37:21 +0000