Changing the World

A world of improvement is available through the American Society for Quality, providing information, contacts, and opportunities to make things better in the workplace, in communities, and in people's lives.

The American Society for Quality, a professional association headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, creates better workplaces and communities worldwide by advancing learning, quality improvement, and knowledge exchange.

An Impartial Resource

ASQ makes its officers and member experts available to inform and advise the U.S. Congress, government agencies, state legislatures, and other groups and individuals on quality-related topics.

ASQ representatives have provided testimony on issues such as training, healthcare quality, education, transportation safety, quality management in the federal government, licensing for quality professionals, and more.

ASQ also works with the media on quality-related matters, providing informational resources and referrals to qualified experts from its broad member base.

History


ASQ was founded in 1946 with the merger of 17 regional quality societies that were formed as early as 1941. The United States' entry into World War II and the accompanying growth of manufacturing to supply war materials spurred interest in statistical quality control. After government-sponsored quality courses were held, local quality control organizations formed to share knowledge. These groups formed the basis of ASQ.

In its early years, ASQ had few financial resources but was supported by the employers of its first elected officers. Gradually, ASQ achieved financial stability, and its administrative and publishing functions were consolidated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA in 1956. More historical information...

Today ASQ's more than 108,000 individual members and 1,100 organizational members worldwide are organized in approximately 250 local sections located throughout North America and an international chapter for members, representing more than 100 countries outside North America. Members can also join ASQ's 25 technical divisions and interest groups.

Leadership

A 32-member board of directors leads the organization. These elected officials serve in a voluntary capacity with the support of their employers. A staff of more than 200 people handles ASQ's day-to-day operations.

Other Activities


In partnership with the University of Michigan Business School and CFI Group, ASQ produces the American Customer Satisfaction Index, a quarterly economic indicator measuring customer satisfaction with the quality of goods and services.

ASQ has participated in the administration of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, under contract to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, since the award's inception in 1987.

ASQ administers the TL-9000 telecommunications management system requirements, developed by the Quality Excellence for Suppliers of Telecommunications (QuEST) Forum.

Increasingly, ASQ has become an advocate and voice of quality, speaking in the interest of its members on quality-related issues.