Stairway to Excellence: Embracing ASQ? in the Manufacturing Industry

Manufacturing demands stringent quality measures to ensure efficiency, safety, and customer satisfaction. At Huyett, these measures aren’t optional – we maintain a standard of excellence for quality in all areas of our workplace, from inspections to processes to customer service. But what exactly do we mean by “quality?” Is it the measure of customer satisfaction? Conformance to requirements? The elimination of defects???

Quality is all of these definitions, and more - which is why Huyett decided to frame its measurement and practice in 2015 with the “Stairway to Excellence” program. This program offers financial aid to employees who would like to earn a certificate through the American Society for Quality, more commonly known as ASQ. The certificate trains employees to work within a unified framework to develop standardized methods for meeting internal and external customer demands with excellence.??

American Society for Quality (ASQ)

The American Society for Quality (ASQ) is a global community of professionals committed to the advancement of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques in the field of quality. Established in 1946, ASQ has continually played a pivotal role in promoting quality excellence across various industries, including the manufacturing sector. Its mission is to enhance both personal and organizational performance.?

ASQ basic training starts with outlining the different definitions of quality from company, process, and customer perspectives. It explains when to use which definition and how they all relate to excellence. It then moves into framing a company’s approach to quality through planning, processes, and continuous improvement. Other training topics include:??

• Team Organization and Function
• Quality Improvement Techniques: Six Sigma and the Principles of Lean
• Industry Quality Standards: ISO and the Baldridge Excellence Framework
• Historical Quality Figures
• Quality Improvement: Techniques, Tools, and Risk Assessments
• Framing and Adhering to Quality in Supplier and Customer Relationships?

These foundational elements are introduced through the introductory CQIA certification (explained below). ASQ offers a variety of certifications to build on these points in different ways, depending on the need. Huyett’s Stairway to Excellence program offers aid to pursue four certifications that are highly relevant to the manufacturing industry.??

Stairway to Excellence Certifications

Huyett offers financial aid to attain the following four ASQ certifications.?

Certified Quality Improvement Associate (CQIA)

• Description: CQIA is an entry-level certification focusing on the basics of quality principles and their application.
• Target Audience: Individuals new to quality management or those interested in understanding fundamental quality concepts.
• Purpose: Equips professionals with the foundational knowledge necessary for quality improvement initiatives within a manufacturing setting.

Certified Quality Process Analyst (CQPA)

• Description: CQPA certification emphasizes process analysis and improvement techniques, critical for optimizing manufacturing processes.
• Target Audience: Professionals involved in process improvement and keen on advancing their skills in quality management.
• Purpose: Enables individuals to become proficient in analyzing and enhancing processes to meet quality objectives efficiently.

Certified Quality Technician (CQT)

• Description: CQT focuses on various quality testing and inspection methods essential for maintaining high standards in manufacturing.
• Target Audience: Quality technicians, inspectors, and individuals involved in testing and inspection activities within manufacturing.
• Purpose: Provides the necessary expertise to ensure the quality and reliability of products through effective testing and inspection processes.

Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)

• Description: CQE certification is an advanced level, delving into quality engineering principles, statistical analysis, and process improvement techniques.
• Target Audience: Quality engineers, professionals responsible for designing and implementing quality systems in manufacturing.
• Purpose: Equips individuals with the skills to lead quality engineering projects and contribute significantly to organizational success.

The Body of Knowledge (BoK)

ASQ certifications are based on well-defined Bodies of Knowledge (BoKs) that serve as comprehensive guidelines for exam preparation and professional development. These BoKs outline the core competencies, topics, and subtopics essential for each certification.

Each certificate candidate receives the appropriate BoK as a primer technical textbook, along with a handbook that explains the topics on a more conversational and conceptual level.??

Earning an ASQ Certificate

To earn an ASQ certificate, the candidate must purchase a year’s subscription to ASQ – Huyett’s Stairway to Excellence covers a significant percentage of this cost. The subscription gives the candidate online access to their account, training videos, additional learning resources, and access to the ASQ community discussion board. They are also given the respective BoK and handbook.?

The candidate then has one year to study for and take their exam. The exam comes at an additional cost, which is covered through Stairway to Excellence. Current ASQ members at Huyett often make themselves available through study groups, if the candidate chooses to set that up. When they feel prepared to take the exam, they fill out a form through ASQ to request either an in-person or online exam time.??

The Exam

If the candidate chooses to take the exam in person, Huyett provides an extra day of paid time off for travel. It is open-book, so both the BoK and the Handbook are allowed as resources as long as they do not contain loose-leaf papers or practice exam questions. It is also timed, so the candidate should manage their time wisely.??

If the candidate chooses to take the exam online, all of the in-person rules apply, but they must also ensure they have a camera mounted to a single monitor. The desk must be cleared of everything except approved study materials, and the proctor will assess the room though the camera to ensure conformance to the additional online requirements. Candidates choosing this route should read the online exam rules and regulations very carefully in order to adequately prepare the testing space and avoid wearing prohibited jewelry/attire.??

Regardless of which exam method the candidate chooses, they will receive a pass/fail immediately upon completion. They will not be able to review the exam.??

Benefits of ASQ Certifications in Manufacturing

ASQ certifications offer a multitude of advantages for both professionals and manufacturing organizations:?

1. Customer Satisfaction and Trust: Quality becomes more uniform and predictable through ASQ training. Customers begin to recognize the standard and consistency of excellence and are more likely to become loyal consumers of your product or service.
2. Organizational Value Addition: As a company frames their approach towards quality, productivity is channeled towards that collective goal. Stakeholders work towards an agreed-upon standard with company-wide understood techniques and tools, which makes processes more efficient, easier to diagnose, and more likely to improve.
3. Enhanced Skills and Knowledge: Certifications provide a structured learning path, ensuring individuals acquire in-depth knowledge and practical skills specific to their certification.
4. Global Recognition: ASQ certifications are globally recognized and showcase a translatable commitment to excellence.??

The Stairway to Excellence

Since implementing the Stairway to Excellence, Huyett’s investment in employees has exceeded expectations. 8% of the workforce is now certified, all of which participate in monthly meetings to review current standards, processes, and areas of improvement to help keep the company moving forward. They consistently administer internal audits to course-correct or find areas of the business that are excelling at quality to model.??

The end goal is to stimulate ASQ members to take their knowledge “to the aisles and to the machines.” Knowledge is of little value unless it is practically applied, so they are encouraged to become practitioners as much as possible.??

Getting Started with ASQ

If you would like to become ASQ certified or start an ASQ employee program, visit the ASQ website to learn more about their organization. You will find educational resources to help identify the best quality journey for you and your company. Identify how this training will elevate your corporate performance, evaluate your company’s capacity to support and incentivize employees who would like to pursue a certificate, and develop a plan for practically implementing their education.??