The Marshmallow Test and Quality

First, as a matter of reference: Walter Mischel and Stanford University, and I guess, any marshmallow will do.

His experiment about delayed gratification is worthy of your further review. And, I have seen various versions of this replicated. For my purposes... the versions of the Marshmallow experiment done in complete absence of the tester; that 'time' is my inflection point.

The Quality Assurance professional will never get their Marshmallow. In that time we are alone... or rather, in review of product or process. We must always deny instant gratification. Should we partake of the forbidden Marshmallow (the fast way out); it would be the bane of our careers.

Product or Process has a wide envelope of meaning. Cheating with time can destroy a recipe; likewise, a rushed interview with a doctor or even listening to a loved one's laments: these too, are not worthy of getting the Marshmallow. Something is bound to be missed.

We (Quality) must heed the time to assess and examine our "quarry".

The fine print? Have you ever noticed that fine print is getting finer (wispy)... Television commercials are replete with wanting to sell goods and services ~ notices.. that time or print size ... you never even see a Marshmallow. Not on a stick, not on a s'more , not burnt to a crisp. Thanks to Dr. Seuss for that inspiring line.

I am pleased to share that in my tenure as a Quality Professional... I interviewed a few times at Cape Kennedy and the Air Force Station. Our personal paths in life do not always afford a destination we think we want. Albeit my career path has taken me other worthy places.

The fine print of specification and procedure at the Cape are not like the Television Commercials. The Quality Professional must read, understand and apply what they read.

Do we eat the Marshmallow or do we just leave it on the table?