the standard 10 jun07

8/8/2019 The Standard 10 Jun07

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Vol. 21, No. 2 The Newsletter of the Measurement Quality Division, American Society for Quality June 2007


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The Standard is published quarterly by the Measurement Quality Division of

ASQ; deadlines are February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15. Text infor-

mation intended for publication can be sent via electronic mail as an attachment in

MS Word format (Times New Roman, 11 pt). Use single spacing between sen-

tences. Graphics/illustrations must be sent as a separate attachment, in jpg format.

Photographs of MQD activities are always welcome. Publication of articles, prod-

uct releases, advertisements or technical information does not imply endorsement

by MQD or ASQ. While The Standard makes every effort to ensure the accuracy

of articles, the publication disclaims responsibility for statements of fact or opinion

made by the authors or other contributors. Material from The Standard may not be

reproduced without permission of ASQ. Copyrights in the United States and all

other countries are reserved. Website information: MQDs homepage can be found

at http://www.asq.org/measure. 2007 ASQ, MQD. All rights reserved.

The StandardVol 21, No. 2, June 2007

Managing Editor and PublisherJay L. Bucher6700 Royal View Dr.De Forest, WI 53532-2775

Voice: 608-277-2522Fax: 608-846-4269Email: [email protected]@promega.com

AdvertisingSubmit your draft copy to Jay Bucher, with arequest for a quotation. Indicate size desired.

Since The Standard is published in-housethe requester must submit a photo or graphicof their logo, if applicable. The followingrates apply:Business card size............................ $1001/8 page .......................................... $1501/4 page ........................................... $2001/3 page ........................................... $250 page ............................................. $300Full page ......................................... $550

Advertisements will be accepted on a perissue basis only; no long-term contracts willbe available at present. Advertising must beclearly distinguished as an ad. Ads must berelated to measurement quality, quality ofmeasurement, or a related quality field. Adsmust not imply endorsement by the Measure-

ment Quality Division or ASQ.

Letters to the EditorThe Standard welcomes letters from mem-bers and subscribers. Letters should clearlystate whether the author is expressing opin-ion or presenting facts with supporting infor-mation. Commendation, encouragement,constructive critique, suggestions, and alter-native approaches are accepted. If the con-tent is more than 200 words, we may deleteportions to hold that limit. We reserve theright to edit letters and papers.

Information for AuthorsThe Standard publishes papers on the qual-ity of measurements and the measurement ofquality at all levels ranging from relativelysimple tutorial material to state-of-the-art.

Papers published in The Standard are notreferred in the usual sense, except to ascer-tain that facts are correctly stated and to as-sure that opinion and fact are clearly distin-guished one from another. The Editor re-serves the right to edit any paper.

TABLEOF CONTENTSChairs Column...............................................................................3Chair-Elects Column .....................................................................4Financial Report..............................................................................4Job Descriptions & Education / Training Linkage .........................5Working Group on Standard Occupation Classifications...............7

A2LA News Releases ............................................................. 10-11The Learning Curve ......................................................................132007-2008 Simmons Scholarship Winner ....................................16NCSL International Workshop & Symposium 2007 info.............17MQD Officers and Committee Chairs ..........................................18MQD Regional Councilors ...........................................................19ASQ World Conference on Quality and Improvement Report.....21

FROM THE DESKOF THE EDITOR/PUBLISHER

By the time this edition hits the news-stands, therewill only be a few weeks left in this fiscal year. On

behalf of the officers and regional councilors, Idlike to thank our outgoing Chair, Graeme Payne. Hehas been at the helm of this ship called MQD for thepast two years. He was gracious enough to step upto the plate when times were rough, and we thankhim for all his hard work, support, and dedication.That doesnt mean he gets to slip into our memories, though. He becomesour immediate past chair, and Dilip Shah has one less chair to fill. Our newofficers starting July 1st, 2007 will be:

Chair: Richard (Rick) RobersonChair-elect: Craig (Woody) Niemann, SMSgt, USAFSecretary: Christopher GrachanenTreasurer: Jay Bucher

Thanks to all who have made 2006-2007 a great year, and we lookforward to 2007-2008.

ONTHEFRONTCOVER: The new MQD Challenge CoinFront and Back;Graeme Payne, the MQD Chair (2005 ~ 2007), manning our booth atWCQI 2007


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CHAIRS COLUMNBy Graeme C. Payne

Well, it is near the end of my second year as Chairperson of the MeasurementQuality Division. At the beginning of July I will turn the gavel over to RickRoberson and then take a break. (Not a long break, because I have to be at workthe next day!)

I want to express my sincere appreciation to all of the member volunteers -elected officers, committee chairs and members, and those in appointed positions for everything you have done to support and promote the Division during the2006-2007 year.

The Division cannot function without you and other dedicated volunteers. Justlike your local Sections, your Division also needs eager and willing volunteers to

do the work that is necessary. It is a bit harder than doing work for your Section because our membersare all over the world but the Internet, toll-free teleconference facilities and other tools make it easierthan you would think. You can help all it takes to start is to contact one of the Division leadershipteam listed in this publication.

I will still be involved as a volunteer, because even the immediate past chairperson has a few definedduties. So you will still hear from me occasionally. In the meantime, let's give a big welcome to Rick ashe takes up the leadership challenges.

Graeme C. Payne1 404-791-4902 (USA Eastern time zone: UTC 5 hours)ASQ and NCSLI Business: [email protected] other business: [email protected]


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CHAIR-ELECTS COLUMNBy Rick Roberson

This article is for the contract PMEL workers out there. Everyone else may want toread through in case they ever step into our world-if they can handle it. Lets talkabout money. Most of us go to work for the paycheck. There are other reasons tochoose this job, but money is probably high on everyones list. The problem: theDepartment of Labor (DOL) Wage Determinations (WD). Some labs have gone theunion route, and their pay is ties to their collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Allthe non-union labs are paid by the WD for the area (they can be viewed atwww.wdol.gov). Since the contracts are lowest bidder/best value, the companies paythe lowest they can. The WD is basically our minimum wage. No one gets morethan the minimum, and we dont get tips. The WD is probably the least understood

part of working on a contract, and it has the most impact on our pay and benefits. Chris Grachanen put alot of work into getting a classification added to the WD for metrologists, but then the DOL listed the

pay rates much lower than expected. (We appreciate all the work Chris-we blame the government.) Partof the problem with the WD is that we do not fully understand how the pay rates are changed. SomeWD have been at the same rate for more than 5 years. There is only one way to state the problem: Itsucks going years without a raise, and still not knowing when (if) or how much of a raise you will get inthe future. This problem is the number one reason for the unions coming onto the labs. I would thinkthe companies would like to help, but they dont seem to care. We dont get help from the companieswe work for or the government, and this is causing major morale problems in some areas. I am propos-ing to lead the charge at getting this process better understood, and moving along more smoothly andpredictable. We need reviews of the WD on a regular basis to provide simple cost of living raises. I amputting together the information I have. I will need some help. Anyone that wants to join this effort,please e-mail me at [email protected] and I will add you to the list. If anyone has informa-tion that you think would help, please send it to me.

FINANCIAL REPORTBy Jay Bucher

The following are the current totals from the MQD accounts as of March 31, 2007:

Checking account: $49,788.14

Money market account: $76,752.32

During the period of July 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006, the division received royalties from the sale ofThe Metrology Handbook of $1,309.91. For the life of the edition, 2,419 books have been sold.

Respectfully,

Jay L. BucherMQD Treasurer


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Job Descriptions and Education / Training LinkageBy Christopher L. Grachanen

Recent ASQ MQD and NCSLI Metrology job description initiatives / ac-

tivities have been pursued under the banner of Metrology education. Onemight ask, What is the linkage between Metrology education and Metrol-ogy job descriptions? This question may be best answered in terms ofobtaining and using job related demographics to make informed decisions.

Job related demographics are often the starting point for determining therelative health of an occupation in the guise of how many personnel are in

an occupation versus how many are leaving in light of industry, government and academia labor require-ments. The ratio of critical mass needed to meet industry, government and academia labor require-ments versus the population of an occupation gives an insight as to the resources that may likely have tobe expended in order to recruit / maintain enough qualified personnel in an occupation to avoid ad-versely impacting labor requirements. In addition, job related demographic information is routinely ac-

quired for the purpose of determining the skill sets, education and training necessary to be competent toperform job tasks in an occupation. Job benchmarking surveys and various census related activitiesstrive to document job expectations in order to determine what skill sets, education and training is per-ceived by employers / employees as needed to meet these expectations. From this line of reasoning itmay be postulated that job related demographics provide substantiating data used to 1) determine / jus-tify resources needed to recruit / maintain qualified personnel in an occupation and 2) establish whatskill sets, education and training is required for personnel to be qualified in that occupation.

Most statistically derived job related demographics are based on classification grouping of job titles andtheir associated job descriptions with the assumption that these job titles and associated job descriptionsfaithfully represent unique job expectations. Realistic job titles supported by credible job descriptionshelps to insure job related demographics are truthful for a particular occupation and that decisions based

on them are accurate and germane. Unrealistic or out dated job titles and associated job descriptions in-creases the likelihood that job related demographic inferences are invalid or at best misleading. Deci-sions based on flawed job related demographic inferences can result in the non-allocation of resourcesthat could otherwise be used to help enable an adequate occupation labor force. Thus the linkage be-tween job descriptions and education and training can be viewed on the macro level as a cause and effectrelationship where education and training decisions regarding content and resources are routinely madeusing job related demographics compiled by means of job titles and associated job descriptions qualifi-ers. One can easily see that the old adage garbage in, garbage out holds especially true for decisionsbased on job related demographics.

Job related demographic inferences like most statistically derived data is deemed more credible as sam-ple size is increased. Without diving into the merits of having a large sample size for statistically deriveddata suffice it to say that the more information that is known about something the more we can inferabout it. The same holds true for job related demographics. The reality of job related demographics isthat across industry there are many different job titles and their associated job descriptions for very simi-lar job expectations. Sometimes these differences can be explained in terms of trying to keep job titlesand their associated job descriptions in boilerplate agreement with established job families within anorganization or that existing job titles and their associated job descriptions may be badly in need of up-dating or simply human relations (HR) personnel missed the mark when writing up job titles and their

(Continued on page 6)


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associated job descriptions. Whatever the reason, standardization of job titles and their supporting jobdescriptions for similar job expectations can be seen as a good thing when it comes to compiling andsummarizing faithful job related demographics. As previously stated, the more information the betterwhen it comes to making statistical inferences. Standardization of job titles and their associated job de-scriptions across industry would help to derive more accurate and reliable job related demographicswhich in turn would make for better informed decisions when it comes to resource allocations and estab-lishing skill sets, education and training requirements. It is acknowledged that it would be very difficult,if next to impossible to get industry to agree upon standardized job titles and associated job descriptiontemplates for similar job expectations. It is however realistic to assume that there should be some accept-able level of correlation for similar job expectations such that a unique occupation should be easily dis-tinguished from other occupations in the same job family. Contrary to this assumption is the commonindustry practice of categorizing calibration technicians as electronic / electrical technicians with theonly identifiable distinguishing attribute in their associated job description is the mantra catch phaseperforms calibrations. Efforts of Metrology advocate groups like ASQs MQD and NCSLI have beento help bring some level of acceptable job description coherence for calibration practitioners across in-dustry to better understand industry, government and academia labor requirements and how best to allo-cate resources to meet these requirements. Without such efforts, compiling calibration practitioner job

related demographics across industry lends itself to a quasi hit or miss scenario depending on whether anorganizations job title and associated job description is recognized by an informed individual as beingapplicable for inclusion into the demographics. Needless to say much more work is needed to get indus-try on the same page, or at least the same chapter, when it come to calibration practitioner job titles andassociated job descriptions.

(Continued from page 5)


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Working Group on Standard Occupation

Classifications - Project UpdateBy Christopher L. Grachanen

One of NCSLIs 163.1 Working Group on Standard Occupation Classifi-cations major projects is;

Prepare/submit a proposal to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management

(OPM) - A number of Metrologists have suggested that the standard titles

and descriptions used by the U.S. Department of Labor are not used by

OPM. This proposal would take the materials submitted to the Depart-

ment of Labor and repackage them for OPM to update Federal job classi-

fications.

To this ends the 163.1 working group (members comprised of NCSLI and ASQ Measurement QualityDivision (MQD) volunteers) drafted and sent the following to the OPM (12Apr07):

My name is Christopher L. Grachanen, chair of the National Conference of Standards Laboratory in-

ternational's (NCSLI) Standard Occupational Classification Working Group and secretary of the Ameri-

can Society for Quality (ASQ) Measurement Quality Division (MQD). I am writing you to relate the

work done by these organizations to help standardize classification standards (commonly referred to as

job descriptions in industry) for calibration / Metrology practitioners as well as to volunteer assistance

in regards to revising the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) classification standards for these

practitioners.

In 2004 a Metrology Job Description initiative was launched to take advantage of a window of opportu-

nity to submit new classification standards to the U.S. Dept. of Labor's Standard Occupational

Classification (SOC) system for inclusion in their 2010 revision (the SOC is updated every 10 years).

This work was deemed necessary as existing classification standards for Calibration Technicians, Cali-bration Engineers and Metrologists were either missing, inadequate or simply misrepresented job ex-

pectations. To this end, hundreds of calibration / Metrology practitioners from industry, government and

academia rallied in support of creating new classification standards reflecting a consensus of job expec-

tations for the aforementioned job titles. I have attached a presentation which describes the Metrology

Job Description initiative and a copy of an article which includes titles and recommended high-level

classification standards. We anticipate that the submitted classification standards will be used as the

basis for updating the U.S. Dept. of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH), a widely used

source for disseminating information about occupations in terms of job expectations and demographic

statistics / projections.

During the Metrology Job Description initiative, classification standards prescribed by the OPM for

calibration / Metrology practitioners were brought to our working group's attention as also being inneed of revision in order to adequately relate current job expectations. In particular, the classification

standard for Electronic Measurement Equipment Mechanic, 2602 series, is regarded by practitioners

knowledgeable with the occupation as one which inadequately reflects job expectations for calibration

technicians. To this end we (working group) would like to volunteer assistance towards correcting this

disparity while aligning titles and classification standards from all industry and government sources. It



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is our hope that standardizing calibration / Metrology classification standards throughout industry, gov-

ernment and academia will help to retain and recruit talented individuals to the profession. It is ac-

knowledged that a skilled calibration / Metrology workforce is critical for U.S. technical viability to

meet technological challenges and innovation requirements today and for our ever changing future.

The OPM reply is as follows (27Apr07):

Thank you for following up on this issue.

To provide a little background information on our processes I meet with Federal agencies on a regu-

lar basis to prioritize our work in developing and updating classification standards to ensure they are

able to meet their organizational missions. We have two current projects relevant to your interests. We

are in the process of revising the classification standards for Federal engineering work both

professional (i.e., those positions requiring at least some undergraduate education) and technical

work. The job family standard for technician work was issued to agencies and placed on our website

last fall in draft format with a request for comments and will soon be issued in final format for imple-

mentation. The job family standard for professional work will be issued in draft format for comment in

the next few months. If you would like to receive a copy of the draft standard and our request for com-ments, please sign up for our listserv atwww.opm.gov/fedclass .

Based on extensive research we have conducted with Federal employees, we anticipate the draft profes-

sional standard will identify metrology as a specialty field within the electrical engineering

(electronics), 0855 series. The broad area of electronics in electrical engineering encompasses numer-

ous specialty fields, each involving rigorous, intense knowledge and skills pertinent to its technological

or industrial concentration. Our working draft standard describes Metrology as precise weight and

measurement activities in support of metrology and calibration programs analyzing precision measure-

ment equipment (PME) to determine requirements and develop standards.

We appreciate your suggestions and welcome your comments on our draft standards.

The 163.1 working group evaluated the OPM reply and drafted and sent the following (04May07):

Thank you very much for your informative reply. I am pleased that the forthcoming Electronics Engi-

neering, 855 series draft will recognize the unique job expectations for Metrologists. I will make sure

once the draft is posted to the OPM website that I will spread the news to interested parties in order to

provide comments / suggestions. A few questions if I may;

Question 1: What is the OPM cycle for re-evaluating / updating job classification standards?

Question 2: Are electronics job classification standards based on a 2-year technician degree and elec-

trical job classification standards based on a 4-year technologist degree? (Question is from a NIST em-

ployee where I gather the aforementioned criterion is used).

One issue that I am still unclear on is the OPMs position regarding the Electronic Measurement Equip-

ment Mechanic, 2602, job classification standard. It is my understanding this classification standard is

used for the vast majority of calibration practitioners and is the standard brought to the attention of our

working group (NCSLI Standard Occupational Classification) as inadequately reflecting job expecta-

tions.




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Question 3: Is the OPM of the position that the Electronic Measurement Equipment Mechanic, 2602, job

classification standard needs to be updated / revised in order to adequately reflect job expectations for

calibration technicians?

If the answer to the above question is YES, our working group is willing and able to provide whatever

assistance we can to help revise this job classification standard.

If the answer to the above question is NO;

Question 4: What steps can Metrology advocate groups such as NCSLI and ASQ MQD pursue in order

for the OPM to address our concerns regarding this job classification standard as applied to calibration

technicians?

I appreciate your time regarding this issue and look forward to your reply.

As of this writing (15May07) the OPM has not replied to the 163.1 working groups latest correspon-

dence (04May07).



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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

A2LA Recognized by NIST for Accreditation of TelecommunicationsCertification Bodies (TCBs) under the APEC TEL MRA

2007-05-14 Frederick, Maryland - The American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA)is now recognized by the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) for accreditation ofTCBs for FCC requirements.

This recognition expands the A2LA goal of one accreditation accepted everywhere. A2LA ISO/IEC17025 accredited testing laboratories that are also ISO/IEC Guide 65 accredited Product CertificationBodies now have the choice of having both accreditations accomplished with one assessment from one

accreditation body. Organizations exercising this option can reduce cost and time expended during theon-site accreditation process.

Background: Accreditation of TCBs for FCC Requirements

In December 1998, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted new rules to streamline itsequipment authorization requirements by allowing Telecommunications Certification Bodies (TCBs) tocertify equipment under Parts 2 and 68 of the Commission's Rules. The requirements for TCBs werespecified in the Commission's Report and Order (R&O) in GEN Docket 98-68 (FCC 98-338), adoptedon December 17, 1998. Under the Report and Order, TCBs are required to be accredited by the NationalInstitute of Standards and Technology (NIST), or by a NIST recognized accreditor.Background: Accreditation of CABs/CBs under the MRAsUnder Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Telecommunications and Information (APEC Tel) Mutual

Recognition Arrangement (MRA), NIST is the Designating Authority for the United States. On January28, 2003 U.S. and Canadian Governments signed an Exchange letter to implement Phase-II of the APECTel MRA. Under this MRA, NIST is responsible for qualifying and designating U.S. Conformity As-sessment Bodies / Certification Bodies (CABs/CBs). According to Phase-II of the MRA, U.S. CABs/CBs must be accredited to ISO/IEC Guide 65 and specific APEC Economys technical requirements.Industry Canada (IC) is the Regulatory Authority in Canada for telecommunications equipmentIn October 2003 the governments of the United States and Singapore signed Exchange letters to imple-ment Phase-II of the APEC Tel MRA. IDA is the Regulatory Authority in Singapore for telecommuni-cations equipment.A2LA is a nonprofit, non-governmental, public service, membership society. Its mission is to providecomprehensive accreditation services for laboratories, inspection bodies, proficiency testing providers,product certification bodies and reference material producers. Services are available to any type of labo-

ratory or inspection body, product certification body, reference material provider and proficiency testingprovider whether private or government. A2LA is the largest internationally-recognized laboratory ac-creditation body in the country.

Source: A2LAWebsite:http://www.A2LA.orgContact: Trace McInturff at 301-644-3223E-Mail: [email protected]


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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

ISO 15189 Medical Laboratory Accreditation Now Offered By A2LA

FREDERICK, MD. (May 28, 2007) - The American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA)is proud to announce it is adding medical laboratories to its accreditation offerings.

A2LA is accepting applications for accreditation to ISO 15189 beginning June 1, 2007.

We are excited to begin offering accreditation services to medical laboratories, said Peter Unger,A2LA president. We see strong demand for an internationally recognized accreditation program in themedical laboratory industry. We offer a distinct approach to laboratory accreditation that, to date, has

not been established for the medical laboratory community in the US.

Unger continued, In addition to examining the technical aspects of a laboratorys operation, the A2LAaccreditation process includes a review of its management system. We hold ourselves to the same ex-pectations for competency that we hold our applicants to, that is, we operate a management system toISO requirements which is evaluated by external parties, resulting in our international recognition.

A2LA accredits to a more rigorous standard than other accrediting bodies in the medical field, signify-ing to clients and customers an adherence to the highest possible international standard for laboratoryexcellence, said Unger.

General criteria for A2LA accreditation of medical laboratories are contained in ISO 15189:2007, Medi-

cal laboratories Particular Requirements for Quality and Competence.A2LA accreditation attests that a medical laboratory has demonstrated:

competency to perform specific testing procedures

that its quality management system is documented, is fully operational, and addresses and conformsto all elements of ISO 15189:2007adherence to any additional requirements established by A2LA including measurement traceability andlaboratory participation in ongoing proficiency testing.

To assist laboratories in preparing for Accreditation to ISO 15189, A2LA will be offering commerciallyavailable training courses in preparation and implementation of the quality management system andtechnical aspects of the standard.

A2LA is a nonprofit, non-governmental, public service, membership society that will be celebrating itsthirtieth year in 2008. Its mission is to provide comprehensive accreditation services for testing and cali-bration laboratories, inspection bodies, proficiency testing providers, reference material producers, andproduct certification bodies. Services are available to any applicant whether they are private or govern-

Continued n page 12)


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ment, and regardless of their size. A2LA is the largest multi-discipline accreditation body in the UnitedStates, and is internationally recognized.

A2LA welcomes applications for the accreditation of all types of laboratories. The addition of the ISO15189 program at A2LA will provide medical laboratories with an additional level of recognition of theexcellent service provided to their customers.

Source: A2LAWebsite:http://www.A2LA.orgContact: Ray Minnick at 301-644-3215E-Mail: [email protected]



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THE LEARNING CURVEBy Phil Painchaud

This is the fiftieth iteration in acontiguous series of polemiciza-

tions (fancy word for argu-mentative discourse) charted tobe on the general subject of Me-trology Education. We are nowwell into our fifteenth year ofwriting these in the form ofopen letters to our esteemedBoss, the Managing Editor of

this periodic journal. We shall attempt in this seg-ment to remain close to our charted topic which wesometimes cannot do to the lack of current viableinputs on the subject or the necessity of updating

our readers (if any) of breaking news items of met-rological interest.

Dear Boss: Since this is the Fiftieth contiguous it-eration of THE LEARNING CURVE, maybe weshould have a celebrationlike a birthday cakewith fifty candles? I dont think that I have enoughbreath left to blow out that manydo you?

As I look back upon the previous columns, I seethat we have covered many topics and have dis-cussed most of those in depth. However I did lo-

cate a gross omission on my part, In Column 48, Ibrought forward the six questions that Mr. FredHume had asked in his noted White Paper that wereprinted in totality in Column 47. However, I hadonly discussed three of them, promising you an-swers in a succeeding column. Well we all got kindof wrapped up in the Measurement Science Confer-ence in Column 49 and the remaining answers toMr. Humes questions went unanswered. So let usdo it here and now.

Since you have probably forgotten the original

questions, I shall repeat all six here, but rememberif you want the answers (my answers) to the firstthree, you will have to dig out your downloadedhard copy of Column 48.

1.-Should measurement science exist as a sepa-

rate discipline, a thing to itself? Certainly it

does, today. Should it exist as a discipline co-

equal with mathematics, physics and chemistry?

2.-Can statistics professors become acquainted

with real measurement problems and be per- suaded to incorporate them in their textbooks

and class examples?

3.-Are many educational programs misguided

in teaching technology instead of teaching engi-

neering or science?

4.-Can measurement science as an educational

element be pushed, or is it more likely to be in-

corporated in the curriculum by the pull forces

of demand?

5.-Must we resort to subterfuge to get measure-

ment science integrated into the undergraduate

curriculum?

6.-How can professors maintain awareness ofcurrent measurement needs and practices?

Now let us assume that you have gone back,looked up Column 48, and have retrieved my an-swers to the first three questions. We shall startwith question Number 4.

4.-Can measurement science as an educational

element be pushed, or is it more likely to be in-

corporated in the curriculum by the pull forces

of demand?

My answer to this one is All of the above. It isup to each of us as both professionals and practitio-ners in the Measurement Sciences, irrespective ofour function or functional level to vigorously pro-mote the necessity of academic education in Me-trology. Vocational training in Calibration and/ordevice maintenance, while both worthy and essen-tial to properly implement and achieve an optimumMetrology function, is most certainly not an ade-quate background for the technical overseer of thatoperation. That individual must have a thorough

academic indoctrination in the basic sciences andmathematics.

The push that Mr. Hume asks in this questioncan be achieved from below by an unrelenting de-mand for more competence in ones supervision.



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Keep it up and eventually someone of competenceabove you will hear and act.

The pull in the same question will exist whenmanagement at all levels are indoctrinated with thetruism that a degree in Business Administration canbe a highly improper background for an individualdestined to head a strong efficacious professionalMetrology organization. Management somehowmust be made to realize that the philosophies inher-ent in such training are not just detrimental to acorrectly functioning Metrology organization, butcould be disastrous. Properly functioning Metrol-ogy cannot be profit driven; on the other hand itmust return true (not artificial) value for each dollarinvested. As I pointed out in an earlier column,When the profit motive is removed, the Practitio-ner can then become a true Professional! Thefirst requirement of a Metrologist is to be a trueProfessional.

5.-Must we resort to subterfuge to get measure-

ment science integrated into the undergraduate

curriculum?

Well there is the old saying, That the ends oftenjustify the means. That of course assumes that themeans employed in that subterfuge is neither un-ethical, illegal, immoral, nor indecent. The world is

overburdened with arrogant, self-centered foolswith their ideas of their own self-importance, andintolerant of any ideas other than their own. Unfor-tunately too often this type of individual is able tocon their way into high positions of an administra-tion.

The late Dr. Watson was precisely up against thisproblem when he first attempted to introduce a Me-trology curriculum at California State UniversityDominguez Hills. The mindset of the then admini-stration refused to recognize Metrology as a sci-

ence; they erroneously insisted that Metrology is anengineering discipline, and the Dominguez Hillswas charted as an Arts and Science institution notan Engineering school. Watsons subterfuge wasto simply rewrite his proposal entitling itMeasure- ment Science instead ofMetrology. Approval bythe administration was almost immediate and itwas sent on to the State University System Chan-

cellor for his blessing. Propter Hoc:The first andstill functioning baccalaureate level true academicMetrology program in the nation.

So the answer to Mr. Humes question should notbe in a future tense but in a past tense. Subterfugehas already been used successfully. There is noreason it cannot be used again.

6.-How can professors maintain awareness of

current measurement needs and practices.

Now here we have the sixty-four dollar question.We will assume that most professors are human(personally I havent met any who are not; al-though I have encountered a few whom I felt thatwere not worthy of that status). It is ipse dixit (thatis a Latin phrase meaning, anunsupported asser-

tionby a person of standing) that most people tendto resist change and since I am the author of thisarticle, I must be the person of standing.

So resistance to change is a normal human trait.Intelligent people, who many professors are, can bepersuaded to change their mindset when presentedwith logical facts. But that alone may not do itthe entire chain of command must also reshapetheir thinking. Dr. Watson solved this awarenessproblem in his Dominguez Hills program in aunique manner. Each candidate for his degree in

Measurement Science was required to spend twosemesters off-campus working in an industrial en-vironment pre-approved by the Program Coordina-tor, while also carrying the full on-campus aca-demic load prescribed for that semester. The bene-fits were bi-directional and twofold. The studentgot practical experience in applying the theory theywere learning on-campus. In the frequent reportsthey were required to submit, they not only wererequired to explain what and how they were apply-ing their class material, but also expose the defi-ciencies existing between classroom environment

and the practical real world environment. Fromthese reports Dr. Watson was able to take such cor-rective actions as necessary to make the on-campuscurriculum more reconcilable with the needs of theoutside world.

The problem at Butler County Community College




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(BC) was similar yet different. Professor Jim Tezawho conceived the program was not at first con-cerned with teaching Metrology; his primary con-cern was a radical new method of teaching, onethat would produce Problem Solvers with abroad general background. He was using Metrol-ogy as a vehicle to contain the course materialand move the student through it. He was usingwhat I call Total Immersion; i.e., no individualdistinct classes on any subject. Hence there wereno individual credits as customarily given for thevarious subjects. In fact during the freshman se-mester there were only two classes of record: Me-trology 101 and Physical Education 101(Pennsylvania state law required the Physical Edu-cation).

Radically new, this concept worked for a whileuntil it clashed with the mindset at the administra-tive levels. The President of the institution at thattime confided directly to me, This concept is won-derful, it is the way of the future, and it is the way

that all education should be done. But I am not

going to support it; if I do I would look like a fool

to my peers in other academic institutions.

When Professor Tezas contract expired it was notrenewed for health reasons. Dr. Don Drum wasbrought in to pick up the pieces and try to continue

the Metrology program using more conventionalmethods. Incidentally the Presidents contract wasalso not renewed.

We can close this tirade with the repeat of a state-ment that I copied directly from an NIST e-mailand presented to you in Column 49 We mustsomehow provided for the academic education

of a new generation of Professional Metrolo-

gists!

Well Boss that nearly wraps it up for this session. I

am very disappointed that no one has attempted toclaim my $100 cash prize. I thought that fromamong our purported ten thousand or more readers,that someone would take a stab at it.

I have had one letter from a reader recently, myvery first letter from a reader since distribution ofTHE STANDARD went electronic so I know that

somebody is reading my column, Mr. LesterStricker of Boeing e-mailed me asking for a clarifi-cation of a statement in an earlier column. Thankyou Lester, now I know that I have at least onereader.

Meanwhile, as I have said forty-nine times before,You can reach me at:

PHIL PAINCHAUD1110 West Dorothy DriveBrea, CA 92821-2017Phone: 714-529-6604FAX: 714-529-1109e-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]



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20072008 SIMMONS SCHOLARSHIP WINNERBy Norman B. Belecki

The Joe D. Simmons Memorial Scholarship for the academic year 20072008 has been awarded to

Timothy F. Chereck, a student at the Central Georgia Technical College.

Mr. Chereck is studying for an Associates degree in metrology as a part of a career-field change fromthat of an industrial-electronics technician. As such he repaired and/or adjusted misperforming produc-tion equipment that, while still functioning, was affecting the quality of manufactured products. In thishe was responsible for both hardware and software maintenance. This is a natural move for Chereck ashe was an end-user of the tools of metrology. He has a perfect academic record as a metrology student.

The Simmons Scholarship is pleased to recognize his ability and hard work by presenting its 20072008award to Timothy Chereck of Central Georgia Tech.

The Scholarship is in memory of Dr. Joe D. Simmons, who was Chief of the NIST Calibration Program,

NIST liaison to the National Conference of Standards Laboratories, recipient of the Measurement Sci-ence Conferences Andrew J. Woodington Award and the National Conference of Standards Laborato-ries Wildhack Award, cofounder and Chair of the Measurement Quality Division of the American Soci-ety for Quality Control (ASQ), and founding Chair of the Measurement Quality Conference. He devotedhis later career to promoting institutional support for metrology as the cornerstone of quality. The Schol-arship fosters the furtherance of metrology through education by striving to:

a) support the academic pursuit of a metrology career by worthy students;b) promote and improve measurement science education and educational opportunity;c) encourage talented individuals to enter the field of metrology; andd) stimulate professionalism in metrology,

through an annual award to a student exhibiting scholastic excellence in the study of measurement sci-ence and quality. The Scholarship is cosponsored by the ASQ Measurement Quality Division, the Meas-urement Science Conference and NCSL International, and is supported by many individual friends andcolleagues of Joe Simmons.


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Chair

Graeme C. PayneGK Systems, Inc.4440 Weston Drive SW, Suite BLilburn, GA 30047 USAVoice: (770) 931-4004 / Fax (866) 887-9344E-mail: [email protected]

Chair-Elect

Richard D. Roberson10301 Clinkenbeard Rd NENorman, OK 73026Voice (405) 321-8580E-mail: [email protected]

Secretary, Certification Chair, Website

Manager, NCSL International Representative

Christopher L. GrachanenManager, Houston Metrology Group Hewlett-PackardP. O. Box 692000 MS070110Houston, TX 77269-2000Voice (281) 518-8486 / Fax (281) 518-7275E-mail: [email protected]

Treasurer, Publication Chair, Newsletter

Editor/Publisher, Share Point Administrator

Jay L. BucherBucherview Metrology Services6700 Royal View Dr.De Forest, WI 53532-2775Voice (608) 277-2522 / Fax (608) 846-4269E-mail: [email protected]@promega.com

Immediate Past Chair, Nominating Chair

Program ChairDilip A. ShahE = mc3 Solutions197 Great Oaks Trail #130Wadsworth, Ohio 44281-8215Voice (330) 328-4400 / Fax (330) 336-3974E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]

Joe Simmons Scholarship

Norm Belecki7413 Mill Run DrDerwood, MD 20855-1156Voice (301) 869-4520E-mail: [email protected]

Standards Committee Representative

Robert M. GrahamPrimary AC Standards LabSandia National LaboratoriesP.O. Box 5800, M.S. 0665Albuquerque, NM 87185-0665Phone: (505) 845-0434Fax: (505) 844-6096E-mail: [email protected]

Examining Chair

Duane AllenU. S. NavyP.O. Box 5000, Code MS11Corona, CA 92878-5000Voice (909) 273-4783 / Fax (909) 273-4599E-mail: [email protected]

Historian

Keela SniadachPromega Corp.5445 East Cheryl ParkwayMadison, WI 53711Voice (608) 298-4681 / Fax (608) 277-2516E-mail: [email protected]

ASQ Division Administrator

Ms. Jennifer Admussen, CQIAVoice (800) 248-1946, x7736

E-mail: [email protected]

MEASUREMENT QUALITY DIVISION OFFICERSAND COMMITTEE CHAIRS


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ASQ MEASUREMENT QUALITY DIVISION REGIONAL COUNCILORS

Regional Councilors represent the Division to members and Sections in their

geographic areas. Regional Councilors are appointed for renewable two-year

terms, and are advisory members of the Division leadership team.

Region 1 (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)

Mr. Jun BautistaGenzymeCambridge, MA 02142E-mail: [email protected]

Region 2 (NJ, NY, PA)

Volunteer Opportunity!

Region 3 (CT, NJ, NY)

Mr. Eduardo M. HeidelbergPfizerParlin, NJ 08859E-mail: [email protected]

Region 4 (Canada)

Mr. Alexander T. C. LauExxonMobilWhitby, ON L1R 1R1E-mail: [email protected]

Region 5 (DC, DE, MD, PA, VA)

Mr. Richard A. LittsLitts Quality TechnologiesDownington, PA 19335E-mail: [email protected]

Region 6 (AK, CA, HI, ID, MT, OR, UT, WA,

WY)


Region 7 (AZ, CA, NV, part of Mexico)

Mr. Randy D. FarmerMetrology SolutionsChula Vista, CA 91913E-mail: [email protected]

Region 8 (OH, PA)

Dilip A. ShahE = mc3 SolutionsWadsworth, Ohio 44281-8215E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]

Region 9 (IN, KY, OH)

Mr. Ryan Fischer, ASQ CCTLaboratory Accreditation BureauNew Haven, IN 46774E-mail: [email protected]

Region 10 (OH, MI)


Region 11 (NC, SC, TN, VA)


Region 12 (IL, MN, ND, SD, WI)

Dr. Donald S. ErmerASQ Fellow; Eugene L. Grant Medal (2001)

University of WisconsinMadisonMadison, WI 53706E-mail: [email protected]

Region 13 (CO, IA, KS, MO, NE, SD, WY)


Region 14 (AR, LA, NM, OK, TX, part of

Mexico)

Mr. R. Keith BennettTRANSCATKingwood, TX 77339E-mail: [email protected]

Region 15 (AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, Puerto Rico)

Mr. E. Bryan MillerASQ Fellow

Bryan Miller Consulting

Florence, AL 35633E-mail: [email protected]

Region 25 (all other countries)



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ASQ World Conference on Quality and Improvement (WCQI) Report

By Dilip Shah

The 61st

annual ASQ World Conference on Quality and Improvement (WCQI) was held

in Orlando, Florida from April 29 through May 2, 2007. The theme of the conference was

Fueling Innovation.

Prior to the conference, the volunteer Division Affairs Council (DAC) took place on

Friday, April 27, 2007. Both Graeme Payne and I participated in this meeting.

On April 28 and 29, the continuation of Ideas to Action session was conducted.

The MQD Division teleconference meeting was planed for Sunday afternoon at 3:00

P.M. Unfortunately due to an error; none of the call-in participants were able to join in.

The attendees present at the meeting were able to brainstorm several ideas. It is alwaysnice to see some new faces and meet old acquaintances at the conference.


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LR Graeme Payne Leta Thrasher, Rick Litts, Lou Ann Lathrop

LR Elias Monreal, Graeme Payne, Fatma Ali, Leta Thrasher, Rick Litts and Lou Ann Lathrop


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Both Graeme Payne and I performed booth duty at our MQD booth. Our giveaways at the

booth were; good candy (drew a lot of traffic!) and then once we had them, we gave our

sales pitch on advantages of joining the MQD and give away past issues of The Standard

on CD-ROM that I burnt the night before. I burnt some midnight oil performing that task

as I was up till 3:00 AM.

Graeme and Dilip at the MQD booth.

Opposite our booth was the ASQ mega booth with a lot of books to sell. So, it was easy

to guide the prospective buyers of The Metrology Handbook and Jay Buchers newest

book, The Quality Calibration Handbook to the mega booth.

I presented our Division sponsored paper titled: Deming funnel experiment and

Calibration over Adjustment: New Innovation?; on Wednesday, May 2, 2007 at 8:00

AM. This being the last day of the conference and the earliest session, I was surprised tofind about 120 attendees at the session compared to the thirty I expected. Following the

session, I was able to bring more attendees to our booth for information.

The MQD also publicized the upcoming NCSL International conference by displaying

and distributing the conference flyers. There was a lot of interest for this conference and

almost all the brochures were gone.


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ASQ MEGA BOOTH

Respectfully submitted,

Dilip Shah

the standard 10 jun07

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