Albert Einstein is widely credited as having defined insanity as “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” 

Cost of quality. Three small words; one big phrase. It appears like a straightforward expression, but there is enough misinformation floating around that quality professionals are compelled to take to their blogs and write about what cost of quality is and—just as importantly—what it is not. 

It is still surprising how many people, from engineers to managers to quality professionals to technicians, possess limited understanding of product and process (manufacturing) limits.

In May 2010, my doctor informed me I had pancreatic cancer. He explained that pancreatic cancer is the silent cancer and only 6% of patients live after it is found.

Certainly there are many types of teams, but in recent times it’s been similar to the alphabet soup of quality tools and techniques. Top executive teams, project teams, six sigma teams, cross-functional teams, improvement teams, self-directed teams, and ad hoc teams are some of the more recognizable forms.

Can you trust your data?

By integrating these tools, much can be gained in a business’ process improvement endeavors.

Manufacturers of products ranging from military airplanes to lawnmowers all have something in common; each needs to be confident that their product can withstand the environmental conditions that their materials and components might be exposed to.

It’s important to understand the types of testing that goes into creating the end products we use every day: from the plastic that is designed into cars, to bottles that hold our water, to the equipment used in various sports.

You need to discuss a quality process change with a co-worker. It’s no secret around the office that your co-worker doesn’t like change and is particularly resistant to discussing a process change.