ASQ: Statistics: "Statistical Thinking Everywhere"

To promote statistical thinking for quality and productivity improvement.
To serve ASQ, business, industry, academia, and government as a resource for effective
use of statistical methods for quality and productivity improvement.
To Provide a focal point within ASQ for problem-driven development and effective use of new statistical tools and methods.
To support the growth and development of its members.

Vision

Our customers’ needs will be continuously anticipated and met.
Our members will be proud to be a part of the Division.
Our Division’s operations will be a model for other organizations.
We will be a widely influential authority on scientific approaches to quality and productivity improvement.

Principles

Focus on a few key things.
Balance short-term and long-term efforts.
Recognize that we exist for our customers.
Value diversity (including geographical and occupational) of our membership.
Be proactive.
View statistics from the broad view of quality management.
Apply statistical thinking ourselves (that is, practice what we preach).
Uphold professional ethics.
Continuously improve.

Current Activities

Every 3-5 years the ASQ Statistics Division Council meets to develop its next Long-Range Plan. The most recent LRP was conducted following the Fall Technical Conference in Baltimore, MD, on October 18-20, 1997. Current LRP strategies and tactical plans are:

Have a Strong, Vibrant Division Infrastructure
Have a good organization design
Have a good measurement system
Develop a Division Balanced Scorecard
Have a strong communications system
Assess Member Needs
Become more effective at the local level
Created the Section Liaison position

Design and Design Selected, Useable Products

Create a clearinghouse of available statistical stuff
Identify and start 3 new publications
Develop and disseminate Newsletter technical content
Create and market a portfolio of Short Courses
Increase the variety and content of Short Courses

Demonstrate the Broad Effectiveness of Statistical Thinking

Market "Statistical Thinking"
Collect Case Studies
Expand Statistical Thinking theory
Maintain the integrity of Statistical Thinking
Assist the discovery process
Identify publishing options

Integrate Statistical Thinking into Education & Training Curricula

Identify target areas for education
Present "Statistical Thinking" to the Pegasus project
Design and develop an on-line Virtual Academy
Find a Virtual Academy tactical plan leader

Develop a Vibrant Information & Communication System

Develop and implement a management measurement process
Develop and implement a member feedback process
Develop a marketing planning and communication process
Develop an Internet/email communication system
Develop a Web Page strategy policy

One of the ASQ Statistics Division’s key projects is to drive the application of "Statistical Thinking" in all areas. "Statistical Thinking" is defined as a philosophy of learning and action based on the following fundamental principles:

All work occurs in a system of interconnected processes
Variation exists in all processes
Understanding and reducing variation are keys to success.

The ASQ Statistics Division has been actively involved in publication of a basic reference series on statistical techniques in quality control ("How to…" series) since it received its charter in 1979. The Glossary and Tables for Statistical Quality Control has also been edited by the Statistics Division and is currently in its 3rd edition. The major product of the Statistics Division is its Newsletter which is mailed to all its members quarterly. Recently, the Statistics Division has launched its Webpage on the Internet. Visit us at the ASQ Statistics Division website.

In addition to these projects the Statistics Division continues to be involved with other activities including sponsorship of conferences and Short Courses, maintaining and updating ANSI/ASQC standards, sponsoring young researchers and students to attend key conferences, providing a Speakers List, presenting the William G. Hunter award, and administrating the Ott Scholarship.

A Division brochure and membership application, and recent copies of our Newsletter can be obtained from the Statistics Division Membership Chair:

J. L. Madrigal
Membership Chair-ASQ Statistics Division
222 TMCB
Department of Statistics
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT 84602
email: madrigal@byu.edu

For further information about the Statistics Division, visit our webpage or contact ASQ in Milwaukee, WI at 1-800-248-1946 (United States and Canada only) (or 1-414 - 272-8575).