Though there are many sources of Lean and Six Sigma certifications,
one of the most historic and significant is the American Society for Quality (ASQ). CapTech has embraced the ASQ process of
certification and supports its organizational goals. CapTech
currently has over 25 consultants who are ASQ Certified Six Sigma Green Belts,
and 5 ASQ Certified Six Sigma Black Belts.
In addition to obtaining these certifications, CapTech also has an
extensive internal training program to prepare consultants for the various ASQ
certifications. Let me introduce you to the ASQ.
In the world we work in
there are a multitude of certifications covering the gamut, but the
certification is only as good as the governing body. While many certifications are created by the
governing body and are legally protected as property of the governing body, Six
Sigma and Lean are different. Six Sigma
and Lean certifications are available through many certification bodies,
colleges, and companies. These various
sources of Lean and Six Sigma education base their curriculum on a common way of
thinking and methodology, but the actual process of obtaining and maintaining a
certification can vary in rigor. ASQ
accepts only those that meet its high standard of rigor.
The ASQ was established in 1946 and gained its notoriety by
playing an important role enforcing quality standards achieved during World War
II. They have effectively maintained
standards, while also considering technology improvements and new
innovation. Since 1946, ASQ has gained
over 80,000 members internationally.
Several key pioneers of Six Sigma and Lean have been honorary members of
ASQ, including Walter A. Shewhart, W. Edwards Deming, Joseph M. Juran, Kaoru
Ishikawa, Genichi Taguchi, and Phillip B. Crosby.
ASQ defines itself in the following way:
“ASQ is a global
community of experts and the leading authority on quality in all
fields, organizations, and industries.
- As a professional association, ASQ advances the
professional development, credentials, knowledge and information services,
membership community, and advocacy on behalf of its more than 85,000 members
worldwide.
- As champion of the quality movement, ASQ members
are driven by a sense of responsibility to enrich their lives, to improve their
workplaces and communities, and to make the world a better place by applying
quality tools, techniques, and systems. (www.asq.org)”
In
addition to being a certification body and professional association, ASQ also
administers the famed Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA). The Malcolm Baldrige award was established by
Congress in 1987 and is given out by the President of the United States to
companies that have implemented successful quality management. The Malcolm Baldrige award has specific
criteria, which benefit companies of any size.
ASQ defines the Baldrige Criteria for
Performance Excellence as:
- Leadership:
How upper management leads the organization, and how the organization leads
within the community.
- Strategic planning: How the organization establishes and plans
to implement strategic directions.
- Customer and market focus: How the organization builds and maintains
strong, lasting relationships with customers.
- Measurement, analysis, and knowledge
management: How the
organization uses data to support key processes and manage performance.
- Human resource focus: How the organization empowers and involves
its workforce.
- Process management: How the organization designs, manages and
improves key processes.
- Business/organizational performance results: How the organization performs in terms of
customer satisfaction, finances, human resources, supplier and partner
performance, operations, governance and social responsibility, and how the
organization compares to its competitors. (www.asq.org)
In
addition to administering the Malcolm Baldrige award and providing
certifications, ASQ focuses on its core mission of furthering the education of
members and leading the quality movement.
Once you are a member of ASQ you are in more than just a historic and
credible association, but also a community.
