Introduction to Quality

Course Description

This course defines the role of quality in an industrial environment and introduces the methods and techniques used to measure, maintain, and continuously improve quality in the manufacturing process. Students examine quality management philosophies, process development, evaluation approaches, and quality assurance strategies used in modern industrial systems. The course includes both lecture and laboratory components (denoted by the "C" lab indicator in the Florida SCNS), integrating hands-on practice with foundational theory.

This course is part of the Engineering Technologies > Industrial Systems Technology taxonomy under Florida's Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS) and is offered at Florida colleges including Seminole State College and Florida SouthWestern State College.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Define quality and explain its role and importance within an industrial or manufacturing environment.
• Identify and compare major quality philosophies and their historical contributions to the field (e.g., Deming, Juran, Crosby, Ishikawa).
• Explain the principles of Total Quality Management (TQM) and describe how they apply to organizational performance.
• Apply basic statistical process control (SPC) concepts, including the construction and interpretation of control charts.
• Describe the inspection and measurement process, including the use of precision measurement instruments and gauging techniques.
• Use fundamental quality control tools (e.g., cause-and-effect diagrams, Pareto charts, histograms, flowcharts, scatter diagrams, check sheets, and control charts) to analyze and improve processes.
• Explain the structure and purpose of ISO 9001 quality management standards and their application in manufacturing organizations.
• Describe the steps of a quality audit process and its role in verifying conformance to standards.
• Explain the concept of process capability and calculate basic capability indices (Cp, Cpk).

Optional Outcomes

Depending on institutional emphasis, students may also be able to:

• Apply the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle to structured problem-solving scenarios.
• Describe lean manufacturing concepts and their relationship to quality improvement.
• Perform a basic SWOT analysis or apply Hoshin planning in the context of quality strategy deployment.
• Explain supplier quality management principles, including incoming inspection and vendor qualification.
• Compare the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award criteria with ISO 9001 requirements.
• Use software tools (e.g., spreadsheets or SPC software) to generate and analyze quality data.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Foundations of Quality — Definition of quality, cost of quality, history and evolution of the quality movement.
• Quality Philosophies — Contributions of Deming (14 Points), Juran (Trilogy), Crosby (Zero Defects), and Ishikawa; comparison of approaches.
• Total Quality Management (TQM) — Core principles, customer focus, continuous improvement, employee involvement.
• Quality Standards and Systems — Overview of ISO 9001 series; quality management system documentation and compliance.
• Statistical Process Control (SPC) — Control chart types (X-bar, R, p, np, c charts); interpretation of variation; common vs. special cause.
• The Seven Basic Quality Tools — Cause-and-effect (Ishikawa/fishbone) diagram, Pareto chart, histogram, flowchart, scatter diagram, check sheet, control chart.
• Inspection and Measurement — Measurement systems, precision instruments, gauging, sampling plans, and acceptance sampling.
• Process Capability — Cp and Cpk calculations, process performance vs. specifications.
• Quality Auditing — Types of audits (first-, second-, third-party), audit planning, reporting, and corrective action.
• Process Development and Documentation — Standard operating procedures (SOPs), control plans, process mapping.

Optional Topics

• Lean Manufacturing and Quality — Waste reduction (7 wastes), 5S methodology, value stream mapping.
• Problem-Solving Methodologies — PDCA cycle, 8D problem solving, root cause analysis, 5 Whys.
• Supplier Quality Management — Supplier qualification, incoming inspection, vendor rating systems.
• Quality Function Deployment (QFD) — House of Quality matrix; translating customer requirements into process specifications.
• Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award — Criteria for performance excellence; comparison with ISO models.
• Design of Experiments (DOE) — Introduction — Basic concepts of experimental design as applied to quality improvement.
• Six Sigma Overview — DMAIC framework, roles (Green Belt, Black Belt), relationship to SPC and TQM.

Resources & Tools

• Textbooks: Commonly adopted texts include Quality Management for Organizational Excellence by David Goetsch & Stanley Davis, and Introduction to Statistical Quality Control by Douglas C. Montgomery.
• ASQ Body of Knowledge: American Society for Quality (ASQ) reference materials aligned to the Certified Quality Inspector (CQI) and Certified Quality Technician (CQT) credentials.
• Software/Tools: Microsoft Excel (control charts, capability analysis); introductory SPC software such as Minitab (where available); measurement instruments used in lab (micrometers, calipers, gauges).
• Standards Documents: ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems standard (publicly available summary); ANSI/ASQ sampling standards (e.g., Z1.4, Z1.9).
• Online Resources: ASQ (asq.org) learning resources; Florida SCNS course profile database (flscns.fldoe.org).

Career Pathways

Successful completion of ETI1110C prepares students for entry-level roles in quality assurance and manufacturing, and supports advancement in industrial systems programs. Relevant career pathways include:

• Quality Control Inspector — Inspects products and materials to ensure conformance to specifications.
• Quality Assurance Technician — Supports QA processes, documentation, and auditing in manufacturing environments.
• Manufacturing / Production Technician — Applies quality principles and SPC tools within production settings.
• Industrial Systems Technology A.S. or A.A.S. — This course typically counts toward degree programs in Industrial Systems, Electronics Technology, or Engineering Technology at Florida colleges.
• Quality Engineer (career ladder) — With additional coursework and experience, graduates may pursue ASQ certifications and engineering roles.

Special Information

Certification Preparation: The content of this course aligns with the American Society for Quality (ASQ) Body of Knowledge for the following credentials:

• Certified Quality Inspector (CQI) — Topics in inspection, measurement, sampling, and SPC directly support this entry-level ASQ certification.
• Certified Quality Technician (CQT) — Broader quality tools, process control, and quality auditing content prepares students for the CQT exam.

Students interested in pursuing ASQ certification are encouraged to contact their instructor or the ASQ student chapter for examination eligibility requirements and study resources. Note that ASQ certifications typically require documented work experience in addition to passing an examination.

Lab Component: The "C" designation in the course ID (ETI1110C) indicates this is a combined lecture and laboratory course per Florida SCNS standards. Lab sessions provide hands-on practice with measurement instruments, quality tools, and SPC charting activities. Students should be prepared to complete both written and practical assessments.