All Things Quality: An ASQ Podcast

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/

ISO leadership mentor and podcast host Jackie Stapleton joins the All Things Quality Podcast to share how her 25-year auditing journey has shaped her perspective on making quality systems more practical, inclusive, and impactful.

Jackie discusses what ISO really means for organizations today, how it builds trust beyond compliance, and why events like ASQ’s Women in Quality Symposium are helping professionals connect, collaborate, and lead the next generation of quality excellence.

About Jackie Stapleton:

• 🎧 Lead the Standard Podcast: https://jackiestapleton.com/podcast

• 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackiestapleton

• 🤝 Join the ASQ WiQS Community: https://my.asq.org

• 📘 ISO Standards Overview (ASQ Learn About Quality): https://asq.org/quality-resources/iso-9001

In this episode of All Things Quality, Pablo Baez talks with Pam Carvell and Shawn Armstrong, hosts of ASQ’s CSD Coffee Talk podcast.

They discuss how the series was launched to boost member engagement, trending topics impacting quality professionals today, and how other ASQ divisions can use podcasting to build stronger communities and conversations.

More resources -

• ASQ Customer-Supplier Division (CSD)
• Pam Carvell on LinkedIn
• Shawn Armstrong on LinkedIn

In this All Things Quality episode, we talk with Stephen Hacker, ASQ Fellow, past ASQ Chair, and leadership consultant, about how quality professionals can develop the courage, influence, and self-leadership needed to truly stand up for quality.

Drawing from his Quality Progress article, “Are You Hiding Your Leadership?”, Stephen explores the mindset shifts that turn quality practitioners into trusted organizational influencers — from mastering persuasion and credibility to speaking the language of business.

Tune in to learn practical steps for building moral courage, trust, and impact as a quality leader.

Links & Resources:

• Read Stephen Hacker’s article “Are You Hiding Your Leadership?” → qualityprogress.com

• Explore ASQ Leadership & Management Resources → asq.org/leadership

• Learn more about Stephen’s work and Transformation Systems International

• Join ASQ for access to Quality Progress archives, toolkits, and exclusive leadership content → asq.org/membership