Innovation and the

Future of Quality

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About the Presenter

Ron Atkinson
ASQ President

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Need for Innovation
“Innovate or die.” 

“This is the New Economy, The Old 
Rules do not apply…”

“Innovations in innovation…”

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Innovation Defined
Instituting significant change that adds
value to the organization by:
• Increasing efficiency
• Increasing effectiveness
• Reducing costs
• Developing new profit streams 4
Fall from Grace
Innovation lost momentum at beginning
of the 22nd century because:

• Innovations did not fit the parent company

• All attempts not immediately successful
• Scandal and lawsuits

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ASQ’s 2005
Futures Study
The Forces of Change

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History of Futures Study

1 Study - 1996
st

2nd Study - 1999

3rd Study - 2002
4th Study - 2005

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Three-step process
• Identifying the key forces that will
shape the future of quality
• Developing scenarios of how the
forces might unfold
• Considering the possible implications

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 Key Forces

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 Key Force # 1
Globalization

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• Threat or opportunity?
• Fluidity of the Internet
• Shifting trade politics
• New kinds of collaboration

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 Key Force # 2
Innovation/Creativity/Change

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• Quality’s contribution to the top line
• Knowledge is king
• Nanotechnology, biotechnology, mass
customization and personal
manufacturing
• Innovation is critical
• Increased demand for “sensing”
systems
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Key Force # 3
Outsourcing

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• First cousin to Globalization
• Work becomes more independent of
place or space
• Emergence of virtual companies
• Swinging pendulum of outsourcing
back to developed countries

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 Key Force # 4
Consumer Sophistication

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• Rising expectations of product quality,
seamless delivery and fresh features
• Quality is essential, but not sufficient
• Instant Internet knowledge empowers
consumers
• National loyalty traded for cost/benefit
• Anticipatory skills grow in value

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 Key Force # 5
Value Creation

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• Requires clarity and definition from
stakeholder’s viewpoint
• Management systems must adapt
• Sustainability, waste elimination and
the triple bottom line
• Quality must create value in everything

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 Key Force # 6
Changes in Quality

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• Redefined to fit the needs of 21st
organizations
• Systems approach is key
• Premiums on anticipation, first to
market, agility, and supplier network
management
• People skills are critical

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 Scenarios

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• How will the Key Forces play out in
the future?
• What is most important to the future
of quality?
• How can we use our knowledge to
our strategic advantage?
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Four scenarios of the future
Innovative Edge

History Scenarios
Indicator of Quality Progress

Pluralistic World

Reality Therapy

Global Warming

Yesterday Today Tomorrow

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Global Warming
Too little, too late

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Reality Therapy
The same path we’re on

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Pluralistic World
Cooperation and collaboration

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Innovative Edge
Best of all possible worlds

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 Implications

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What does it mean for...
• Quality professionals
• Organizations and the quality field
• The American Society for Quality

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Quality professionals
• The future is bright
• Learn the language of business and
strategic quality
• New skills in: anticipation, change,
innovation and systems
• New languages and cultural
knowledge
• Basic quality tools are here to stay
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35 Opportunities a Day

•Everyone has over 35 opportunities a

day to do something differently

•Some people recognize the

opportunities, some don’t

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Di ver sity is the key
Understanding individual styles:
Idea Creator

Idea Embellisher

Idea Perfector

Idea Implementer

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Promoting Innovation
•Creating the right climate
•Selecting and using idea generating
techniques
•Selecting ideas for further exploration

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Innovative Thinking Tips

•Search for possibilities – not solutions

•Go beyond the first best answer
•Think about your thinking plan
•What tools will you use?

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Architecture for
Sustained Innovation

•Shared vision and •Programs

strategy •Skills development
•Environment •Rewards and
supports recognition
•Resource allocation •External
stakeholder
•Process networks
innovation

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Organizations and the
quality field
• Systems approach to quality
• Speed
• Anticipation
• Change and transformation
• Sustainability

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Getting Leadership to Listen
Make the Economic Case for Quality

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The Future: Taking Quality in
Bold New Directions

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It’s up to you!
• How will you shape the future of
quality in your own work?

• What skills will you need to succeed

in the future?

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ASQ. Make Good
Great™

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