What happens when the procedure looks right on paper, but real work tells a different story?

In this episode of All Things Quality, I’m joined by Andrea Baker, The HOP Mentor, for a practical conversation on Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) and what quality leaders can learn from the human side of work.

We get into how Andrea found her way into HOP, why safety and quality are more connected than many people realize, and how leaders can move from blame-based reactions to better learning. We also talk about procedure drift, person vs. system thinking, culture change, and where AI and technology can help—or hurt—when organizations are trying to understand how work really gets done.

More resources:

• Andrea Baker on LinkedIn
• Andrea’s 2026 ASQ Lean and Six Sigma Conference keynote presentation
• The HOP Mentor website
• Join ASQ

What does the next era of quality look like?

In this episode of All Things Quality, Danny Even Chen joins us to explore how AI, digitization, and changing expectations are reshaping the future of quality.

He also shares the framework he proposes for this next era: a five-dimensional view of quality that expands beyond product and service to include solution, knowledge, and experience.

• Read his Quality Progress article: Branching Into the Next Era of Quality
• Connect on LinkedIn: Danny Even Chen
• Attend ASQ's World Conference on Quality & Improvement (Orlando, May 17)
• Access Your April Member Gift – Lean Six Sigma in the Digital Age⁠
• Download ASQ's Mobile App⁠
• Send feedback /podcast ideas: ⁠mailto:[email protected]

In this episode, we introduce the basics of root cause analysis and walk through several essential RCA tools used to uncover the real causes behind problems. A practical overview for quality professionals looking to strengthen problem solving and continuous improvement. Plus, we share a few ASQ updates to keep you in the loop.

ASQ Updates -

• ASQ Certifications (Apply by April 13): https://asq.org/cert
• Free Webinar - Discover the Value of ASQ (April 23)
• ASQ World Conference on Quality & Improvement (Orlando): https://asq.org/wcqi (May 17)
• April Member Gift – Lean Six Sigma in the Digital Age: https://asq.org/membership/member-gift
• Quality Progress Articles (including “Hand in Hand”): https://asq.org/quality-progress

• ASQ Mobile App (Join today): https://asq.org/membership/mobile-app
• Provide Feedback / Ideas: mailto:[email protected]

In this episode, experienced auditor, trainer, and active ASQ leader, Susan Gorveatte reframes auditing as a journey—one that requires preparation, objectivity, communication skills, and a commitment to comparing evidence to criteria without opinion.

She explains the importance of balancing interviews, observation, and records review, building strong rapport from the start, and recognizing positive findings—not just nonconformities.

• 📘 Unlocking the Secrets of Successful Management System Auditing – Article by Susan Gorveatte

• 📖 ISO 19011: Guidelines for Auditing Management Systems
  

• 📘 ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management Systems Requirements
  

• 🌎 ASQ World Conference on Quality and Improvement (WCQI)
  

• 👩‍💼 Learn More About Susan Gorveatte via LinkedIn

In this AI-generated episode of All Things Quality, we revisit PDCA’s origins, explore why it remains one of the most powerful tools in quality management, and examine how emerging technologies — including AI, automation, and real-time analytics — are strengthening rather than replacing this disciplined approach.

You’ll also hear practical insights, historical context, and a few “Did you know?” facts that may change how you think about this deceptively simple cycle.

Whether you're leading Lean initiatives, applying Six Sigma methods, or navigating digital transformation, PDCA remains the backbone of meaningful improvement.

More resources:

• PDCA Cycle – Learn About Quality (LAQ)

• Back to Basics: The Benefits of PDCA – Quality Progress

• Quality 101: Back to Basics – Virtual Course

Audits don’t have to feel like emergencies.

In this quick tips episode titled Making Audit Readiness Just Another Tuesday, we explore how organizations move beyond last-minute audit prep by building audit readiness into everyday work.

Drawing from Quality Progress expert insights, we look at practical ways to strengthen internal audit programs, engage leadership, empower supervisors, and use continual improvement to make compliance routine rather than reactive.

If you want audits to feel predictable, manageable, and part of normal operations, this episode is for you.

Resources to learn more:

• Quality Progress Article: Expert Answers: Audit Readiness
  AI Risks and Rewards

• ASQ Training: Auditing Fundamentals & Internal Auditing Basics
  
• Quality Press Book: Advanced Quality Auditing by Lance B. Coleman

You don’t need a seven-figure budget to unlock digital transformation.
In this episode, Thomas Jones explains how organizations can build a practical, scalable approach to Quality 4.0 using the tools they already have.

We discuss the three pillars (People–Process–Technology), why a data strategy matters more than dashboards, and how teams can move from reactive firefighting to predictive decisions powered by real-time insight.

To learn more:

• 📘 Total Digital Transformation – Book
• 🌐 Quality 4.0 Resource Hub

• 📰 Quality Progress – Articles & Insights:
• 📚 ASQ Learning & Resource Library:
• ⭐ Join ASQ (Member Discounts & Access): https://asq.org/membership

Go behind the scenes of ASQ’s two major 2026 conferences — the Lean and Six Sigma Conference (LSSC) and the World Conference on Quality and Improvement (WCQI).
In this episode, ASQ Events Director Mary Koloski talks with April Thomas (LSSC Technical Program Chair) and Patrice Griffith (WCQI Technical Program Chair) about how conference themes are chosen, how the Technical Program Committees shape the learning experience, and what quality professionals can expect in 2026.

Learn more about the upcoming events here:🔗 ASQ Events Page: https://asq.org/events🔗 Lean and Six Sigma Conference (LSSC): https://asq.org/conferences/six-sigma 🔗 World Conference on Quality & Improvement (WCQI): https://asq.org/conferences/wcqi

Follow All Things Quality for more conversations that highlight the people, ideas, and programs shaping the future of the profession.

In this episode, we explore one of the most practical—and underused—tools for preventing failure before it happens: the premortem.

Inspired by Govind Ramu’s January 2025 Quality Progress article, “What’s the Worst That Could Happen?”, this overview breaks down how project teams can use prospective hindsight to uncover risks early, improve decision-making, and build stronger cross-functional alignment.

Whether you're leading major initiatives, coaching teams, or strengthening your organization’s risk-based thinking, this episode will give you practical steps you can put into action right away.

• Read the full article on ASQ.org →
  “What’s the Worst That Could Happen?” by Govind Ramu, Quality Progress

• Connect with Govind Ramu on LinkedIn →
  https://www.linkedin.com/in/govindramu/

• Find more ASQ resources on Premortems, Risk Management & ISO 9001 → Use ASQ’s Global Search: https://asq.org/search

Quality salaries are up 5.2% — but expectations are rising even faster. The 2025 ASQ Salary Survey shows that leadership and strategic “power skills” now drive career growth as much as technical expertise. Max Hansen and Jenny Chu unpack the L-Mix, confidence gaps, communication trends, certification ROI, and what quality pros need next to advance.

ASQ Resources Mentioned

• 2025 ASQ Salary Survey (Quality Progress)
  https://asq.org/quality-progress/salary-survey

• Quality Progress Magazine
  https://qualityprogress.com

• ASQ Certification Portfolio
  https://asq.org/cert

• ASQ Learning & Training
  https://asq.org/training

• ASQ Career Center
  https://careers.asq.org/