Standard Vol17-No2 (2003)

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The StandardSummer 2003 Page 1

Vol. 17, Issue 2 The Newsletter of the Measurement Quality Division, American Society for Quality Summer 2003

The Standard

Chairs ColumnChairs ColumnChairs ColumnChairs ColumnChairs Column

Message from the Chairman (2003-2004)

Dilip Shah

I started writing this column having returned fromthe Annual Quality Congress (AQC) in Kansas City inMay, 2003. It was good to meet many of you who

stopped by at the MQD booth and introduced your-selves. The AQC and other conferences and venuesprovide a chance to meet the Division members face toface, and that is always nice.

I was very pleasantly surprised while attending theCertification Board reception on Sunday, May 18, atthe AQC. The Measurement Quality Division was rec-ognized for its contribution and support for ASQsnewest certification exam, the Certified CalibrationTechnician (CCT). As if that was not enough, ChrisGrachanen was recognized for his individual efforts atmaking the CCT exam a reality. The Division is veryproud of both this group and individual awards. We willcontinue to support these efforts in various ways bypublicizing and providing subject matter experts for themaintenance of the CCT exam.

MQD hosted a session on the CCT exam with threepresentations at the National Conference of StandardsLaboratories International (NCSL International) con-ference in Tampa on August 18, 2003.

Many of you contacted me after the publication ofthe last issue of The Standard with your feedback andbest wishes. Others contacted me to volunteer theirservices. I thank you all. As we close our fiscal and

electoral year, we will miss some of our volunteers--

Joe Filipowicz (MQD Secretary) and Frank Voehl (MQDTreasurer and The Standard Executive Editor). I thankthem for their past contributions to the Division. MarkSchoenlein has agreed to be the Treasurer and theEditor of The Standard. Jay Bucher has agreed tovolunteer for the Secretary position. Mark is no strangerto the MQD, having been the Past-Chair. Please joinme in congratulating Mark for being elected ASQFellow recently. Please welcome Jay to the group.Jays bio appears separately in the newsletter. Mythanks also go to Duane Allen, our immediate Past-Chair. I have valued Duanes friendship while workingwith him in the Chair-Elect position.

One of my first acts as Chair of the Division was tosign the MQD sponsorship agreement of the MetrologyHandbook that will be published by the ASQ Press. Iam very excited about this project that is being led byJay Bucher. A handbook of this nature has long beendesired by measurement professionals. We hope tohave it published in the second quarter of 2004.

Sincerely,

Dilip Shah(ASQ, CQE)

E = mc3 Solutions197 Great Oaks Trail #130Wadsworth, OH 44281-8215Tel: 330-328-4400Fax: 330-336-3974E-mail: [email protected]

IN THIS ISSUEChairs Column .................................................. 1Advertising & Article Info .................................. 2CCT Update ........................................................ 3Publication Update ............................................ 4Editors Note ....................................................... 4The Learning Curve X 2 ..................................... 5The Contrarian Metrologist ............................... 9Upcoming Events ............................................. 10MQD April Meeting Minutes ............................ 11MQD Officers List ............................................. 12Regional Councilors List ................................. 13

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PublicationStaff

Managing Editor

Mark SchoenleinP.O. Box 206Perrysburg, OH 43552Tel: 419-247-7285Fax: 419-247-8770E-mail: mark.schoenlein@

us.o-i.com

Advertising2003 Rates for a single publication:

Business card size .....................$201/4 page ..................................... $351/2 page ..................................... $70Full page ..................................$120

A 15% discount will be applied for multi-edition ads.

Ads must be formatted in MS Word oras a TIF file.Advertising must be clearly identified asan ad and should relate to the field ofmeasurement quality.Ads must not imply endorsement by theMeasurement Quality Division or ASQ.

Publication InformationThe STANDARD is published quarterlyby the Measurement Quality Division ofASQ; deadlines are March 15, June 15,September 15 and January 15.Text information intended forpublication can be sent via electronicmail or through postal mail on 3 1/2"diskette in Microsoft Word saved inRich Text Format (RTF). If it is notfeasible to send text in electronic form,clean printed text can be submitted.

Graphics or illustratios must be sent ina TIF file format.Photographs of MQD activities arealways appreciated.Publication of articles, product releases,advertisements or technical informationdoes not imply endorsement by TheMeasurement Quality Division of ASQ.While The STANDARD makes everyeffort to ensure the accuracy of articles,the publication disclaims responsibilityfor statements of fact or opinion madeby the authors or other contributors.Material from The STANDARD may notbe reproduced without permission ofASQ. Copyrights in the United Statesand all other countries are reserved.

2003 ASQ, MQD. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17, Issue 2 The Newsletter of the Measurement Quality Division, American Society for Quality Summer 2003

The Standard

Letters to the Editor

The STANDARD welcomes lettersfrom members and subscribers. Lettersshould clearly state whether the authoris expressing opinion or presentingfacts with supporting information.Commendation, encouragement,constructive critique, suggestions, andalternative approaches are accepted.If the content is more than 200 words,we may delete portions to hold thatlimit. We reserve the right to edit lettersand papers.

Website Information

The Measurement Quality Divisionhomepage can be found on the internetat www.measurementquality.org. Pasteditions of the STANDARD in PDFformat are available there.

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CCT Program UpdateCCT Program UpdateCCT Program UpdateCCT Program UpdateCCT Program Update

By Chris Gachanen

FINAL EXAM COMPLETED!

More than four years work involving hundreds ofcalibration practitioners from government agencies,academia, and small and large commercial interestshas culminated in the American Society for Quality(ASQ) Measurement Quality Division (MQD) CertifiedCalibration Technician (CCT) exam. These volunteersalong with dedicated ASQ staff and contracted industryprofessionals engaged in a variety of research, analy-sis, data acquisition and dissemination of informationactivities to define the CCT body of knowledge (BOK).The CCT exam reflects the CCT BOK, deemed appro-priate by the above-mentioned volunteers, for the mid-level calibration practitioner and formally recognizesthe scope and depth of the specialized comprehensionrequired by these professionals. The CCT exam marksthe first time that certification criterion for a peer recog-nition program has been established in the U.S. forcalibration practitioners.

The CCT exam went from working draft to finalrevision at the CCT Exam Review Workshop con-

ducted on the 4th and 5th of April, 2003, at ASQheadquarters in Milwaukee, Wis. Nine calibration prac-titioners from commercial, government, and privatecalibration interests attended this ASQ-sponsoredworkshop. As the name implies, the final exam work-shop focused on final approval of candidate examquestions for use on the CCT exam. Each candidateexam question had to be evaluated and approved interms of its applicability, clarity and appropriate cogni-zant level. In addition, each candidate exam questionhad to be both accurate and exclusively correct, whileeach of its distracter choices had to be plausible. Eachexam question must reference a hard copy and/orelectronic publication available in the public domain.The CCT exam encompasses 125 questions spanningthe following six major topic areas:

1. General Metrology (30 Questions)

2. Measurement Systems (25 Questions)

3. Calibration Systems (25 Questions)

4. Applied Math and Statistics (20 Questions)

5. Quality Systems and Standards (15 Questions)

6. Uncertainty (10 Questions)

References used for CCT exam question develop-ment may be found on the ASQ CCT web page. It isacknowledged that the CCT BOK spans many differentpublications as is typical of a new ASQ certification. Asof this writing (3rd week in April, 2003), I am aware ofseveral CCT exam study guides / preparation publica-tions and workshops that currently are, or will shortlybe, available as well as a metrology handbook in theworks.

The CCT exams first public offering was held June7, 2003. ASQ headquarters has informed me that therewere over 100 CCT exam candidates for the June 7offering, a healthy showing for the first offering of a newASQ certification. This response reflects the enthusi-asm calibration practitioners have for the CCT pro-gram.

After the June 7 CCT exam offering, a Cut-ScoreStudy Workshop was conducted on June 20-21, 2003,at ASQ headquarters in Milwaukee, Wis. The Cut-Score Study Workshop focused on determining theraw score for a passing CCT exam score. The work-shop, comprised of 10-12 ASQ calibration practitionersthat did not take the CCT exam in June and would notbe eligible to take the CCT exam until June of 2004,employed various time-proven techniques and meth-odologies in developing the cut-score threshold. Cut-score development activities focus on the borderlinecase, assuming that those exam candidates that be-long to the upper grouping (passing the exam) will tendto earn higher scores than those who belong in thelower grouping (not passing the exam). The cut-scorethreshold can be viewed as the score one wouldreasonably expect from a person whose skills areconsidered borderline between the two groupings. Toderive this threshold, Cut-Score Workshop partici-pants must make a judgment for each exam questionas to the probability that a borderline test-taker wouldanswer it correctly. The result of each participantsevaluation is then assessed in the context of the group.Analysis and other activities are employed to deriveconsensus and ultimately the cut-score threshold.These aforementioned activities help ensure that the

CCT exam cut-score truly reflects the borderline case.I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the

many volunteers who have contributed to the CCTexam development and to the many individuals devel-oping materials for aiding technicians in studying forthe exam. Without their passion the CCT programwould not have gotten beyond the wishful stage.

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Publications NewsPublications NewsPublications NewsPublications NewsPublications News

By Chris Grachanen

Jay Bucher

It is with great pleasure, enthusiasm and sinceregratitude that I can announce that Jay Bucher, Man-ager of Metrology Services for the Promega Corpora-tion, has volunteered to lead the development of anASQ Quality Press Metrology Handbook. Jay has, inthree simple words, The Right Stuff to see this projectthrough. I applaud Jays willingness to shoulder thechallenges that lay ahead. I know that I speak for thosecommitted to seeing this project through that Jay is notalone and that we are here to provide support howeverwe can.

Jay is the Manager of Metrology Services forPromega Corporation, a biotechnology company inMadison, Wisconsin. He started his career in metrol-ogy in 1971 with the United States Air Force. Aftergraduating from the Precision Measurement Equip-ment Laboratory (PMEL) school in Denver, Colo., Jayadvanced through increasingly more challenging posi-tions within PMELs, from calibration technician tosection supervisor, quality assurance manager to laband flight chief. In 1994, he volunteered to upgrade thecapabilities of the Indonesian Air Forces PMEL pro-gram. Jay trained their officers and NCOs in all aspectsof PMEL management and established their initialquality assurance and scheduling programs. Retiringfrom the Air Force after 24 years of active duty service,Jay spent time working as the Senior Metrologist for theRoyal Saudi Air Defense Force PMEL in Jeddah, theKingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Managing Editors NoteManaging Editors NoteManaging Editors NoteManaging Editors NoteManaging Editors Note

Jay joined Promega in 1997, where he developedand implemented all facets of an ISO 9001 and FDA(cGMP) compliant program for their Metrology Depart-ment. He took them paperless for data collection andstorage in January of 1999. His department has alsobeen rated Best-In-Class during their annual qualitysystem reviews for three consecutive years.

Jay has been a member delegate to NCSLI since1997; and he started the Madison, Wis., section in2000 and is their section coordinator. Jays presentedpapers and made presentations at NCSLI sectionmeetings and also at their annual Workshop & Sympo-siums. He has been published in Cal Lab Magazineand The Standard, The Newsletter of the Measure-ment Quality Division of ASQ. Jay joined ASQ in 2002and was selected to be a subject matter expert (SME)during ASQs Certified Calibration Technician (CCT)

exam development process; he participated as anSME during the CCTs Test Specification and ItemReview Workshops.

Mark Schoenlein

I would like to thank Frank Voehl for his years of hardwork as the Executive Editor of the Standard. Hisglobal perpective kept us thinking. His numerous con-tributions kept us informed. With Franks departurethere remain only two of the original contributing Stan-dard authors--both are named Phil, and each is locatedon opposite coasts of the U.S.

So, please help Phil & Phil out. We would love topublish your article, story, or technical informationrelating to measurement science.

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Dear Boss:

For most of my adult life, and admittedly that goesback a ways, many individuals, myself included, havebeen pressuring for professional recognition of metrol-ogy. We have realized for several decades that wouldbe impracticable if not impossible without some recog-nized reputable institution of higher learning offering arecognized degreed curriculum in that science. Admit-tedly the George Washington University of Washing-ton, DC, did several years ago offer an abortiveMasters level curriculum. It proved to be an excellentattempt; and, while it was open to the public, it wasdesigned specifically for students already employed bythe National Bureau of Standards (the forerunner of thepresent NIST). While it was in existence, the programgranted a number of Masters degrees. Once theirtarget market was saturated, the program died a natu-

ral death.There is an excellent two-year course at the Butler

County Community College in Butler, Pennsylvania.But it is only a two-year course, and two-year degreesare not generally considered of professional level inthemselves; however, they can be, and often are,excellent feeder programs preparatory to entering theupper division of a four-year institution. There havebeen and are still now a number technical trainingcourses, both military and private, designed specifi-cally to train calibrators--not to educate professionalmetrologists. That statement is not intended as a

The Learning CurveThe Learning CurveThe Learning CurveThe Learning CurveThe Learning Curve

These are the thirty-third and thirty-fourthinstallments in a contiguous series of essays, ostensiblychartered to be concerned with the subject of theeducation of professional metrologists but very oftenwandering in divergent directions according to thecaprice or megrims of this columnist.

Phil Painchaud

deprecation or as a putdown. Knowledgeable, highlyskilled calibrators are always in demand; a really goodone is worth his weight in gold. But a thousand highlyskilled calibrators do not one decent metrologist make.Simply stated, they are a different breed. While manyof these organizations do a superior job of preparing astudent for employment in a calibration laboratory, theyare not designed educate professional metrologists.

As of September, 2002, that has all changed. Ourlong awaited degreed curriculum in measurement sci-ence has been approved by the hierarchy of theCalifornia State University System and are at the timeof this writing available at the California State Univer-sity--Dominguez Hills, in Carson, Calif. The program isavailable on-line, on-campus, and on-site.

From anywhere in the world, a student may attendon-line via the Internet. While it is possible for anyqualified student to enter the program at any level,freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior, it is stronglyrecommended that only upper division candidatesattempt it. Hence the admission requirements for on-line and on-site have been currently set at:

A minimum 56 transferable units including com-pletion of all of General Education Requirements ofthe California State University System with a 2.0GPA.

Completion of one year of college-level calculus

TOEFL score of 550 (for students whose primarylanguage of Instruction was not English)

Students graduating from an accredited communitycollege should have little or no problem qualifying forupper division entry. Students electing the on-campusroute also should have no problem as they can com-plete their lower division requirements while preparingfor the more specialized measurement science upperdivision education.

One thing to keep in mind--the official title of thisprogram is: BACHELOR of SCIENCE in QUALITYASSURANCE (with MEASUREMENT SCIENCEOPTION). I have explained in previous columns theproblems we have encountered in getting this programthrough the approval chain. Dominguez Hills is notchartered to teach engineering. This didnt bother us,as we all know that metrology is a fundamental scienceand not an engineering discipline. But along the linesome administrator insisted that metrology is an engi-neering discipline, so we just called it measurementscience--and away it went. So when you query theinstitution, DO NOT ASK ABOUT A COURSE INMETROLOGY! Ask about the Measurement Science

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Option of the Bachelor of Science in Quality AssuranceProgram.

If you would like a copy of the preliminary announce-ment sheet the university has issued, I will be happy tosend you one. Please write, FAX, or e-mail me at oneof the addresses below. Please do not phone me forthese. Phoning me on other matters is OK and wel-come, but not for this. If you wish to contact theuniversity directly:

E-mail: [email protected]

www/csudh.edu/bsqa/

Phone: 310-243-3880

I am not sure how many of you involved in commer-

cial or military metrology are aware of the NationalConference on Weights and Measures (NCWM). It hasbeen around for a long time; I am not sure how long. Itis primarily an organization of the various state, county,and local weights and measures officials, includingthose from our outlying possessions and many foreign

jurisdictions. Representatives from corporations whosebusiness depends heavily on legal metrology and justplain outsiders like myself may also belong as non-voting associates. I have belonged for many years; mymembership number is #19. Like most other organiza-tions of its nature, the NCWM publishes many docu-ments including a newsletter. In their SUMMER 2002issue there was an item that caught my attention as Ifelt it has validity far beyond the legal metrology do-main. It is by Danny Newcombe in a column he doesentitled METROLOGY CORNER. I have permission toreproduce this excerpt for you.

METROLOGIST DIRECTOR/SUPERVISOR COMMUNICATION

The Metrology Subcommittee hopes ro provide future columns aimed at fostering increased communi-

cation between program directors/supervisors. A key requirement for the laboratorys annual submission to NIST, OWM and for laboratory accreditation by NVLAP is management review. This review is a requirement of the quality standards published in [NIST] Handbook 143 and is used to help inform and provide input for routine laboratory operations. Based on statements from program directors and metrologists over the past few years, there are often breakdowns in communication between Metrologists and their program directors. This is partly due to the rapid changes that occurred to Metrology quality demands over the

last decade. A good management review of the laboratory program should eliminate most of these communication issues. The management review often occurs in the fall just before the annual submission is due, but is this review enough?

The operations of the [Metrology] laboratory are becoming more involved than in the past with the quality system. Metrologists and program directors need to communicate several times during the year.When this happens, fewer suprises occur and plan- ning becomes much easier.

Topics of importance might include audit outcomes,results of round robin or proficiency testing, work load trends, equipment needs, upcoming external calibration needs, trends that effect the laboratory such as changes in quality standards (ISO/IEC 17025, QS 9000), or any other issues that could potentially affect either the laboratory or the entire weights and measures program. It is a good practice for metrologists to update their directors soon after attendance at regional training meetings (RMAPS) or NIST, OWM metrology [include ASQ-MQD, MSC and NCSLI] metrology semi- nars. E-mails can be effective, but staff meetings work well and might be scheduled periodically. The key to effective management review is for everybody to be committed to a quality operation.

(Note: The words in brackets [+] are mine. PAP)

As some of you may know, I have made a reason-able living over the years as a consultant, often review-ing administrative problems affecting metrology andcalibration laboratories. More often than not I havefound the problems basic cause due to a lack, or evena total absence, of communication between the me-trologist in the laboratory and his direct line manage-ment. I often find this reticence to communicate insti-gated and maintained by the metrologist or lab man-ager. How often have I heard, I dont want to talk to himbecause I dont want him meddling in my lab? Thenthis often follows-- I dont want to talk to him becausehe doesnt know what we do here, how we do it, or whatwe need to do it. Besides, he wont give us what I thinkwe need.

How is he supposed to know what you do, how youdo it, or what you need if you dont tell him? Ill tell himnothing; he is supposed to know these things becausehe is the boss. If I tell him anything at all, hell comedown poking around and asking more questions. Idont want him or anybody poking around my cal lab.I wished that I had had Mr. Newcombes article with meover the years.

That about wraps it for this issue. Dont forget,contact me or the university for more information on thedegreed program.

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Dear Boss Again:

Well the good news is that the first four-year, trulyacademic metrology program with an accredited de-gree is literally underway at the California State Univer-sityDominguez Hills. It is not overwhelmed withstudents as yet, but there are enough to justify itsexistence with the bean counters. The facilities oncampus are not ready as yet, hence no on-campusclasses until next Fall; but the on-line approach is goinggreat guns. I have assisted Dr. Watson with thedevelopment of a number of the syllabi and examina-tions. It has been, to me, very gratifying work afterwaiting so many years to see the formulation of anobjective that at times seem like an unattainable dream.

It is not too late for those of you who are unable totravel to the California campus to sign up for the on-line

classes, or, if you are in a large enough organization,to investigate the possibility of on-site classes--wherethe Dominguez Hills faculty members will travel to yoursite and conduct classes for you there. If you alreadyhave transferable credits (from a junior or a communitycollege, or from another university) you are way ahead--a couple of steps up, one might say. Why wait?Investigate now!

Those of you who have been readers of this columnfor any length of time will know that generally I do notcopy other peoples material unless it is extremelypertinent or timely. I have from time to time copiedsome of my own earlier material when I felt it apropos.

This time I intend to try something different.I have been asked to review the Masters thesis for

a candidate for that degree at California State Univer-sity--Dominguez Hills. His name is David Harris, andhe is an on-line student who has been working for thatdegree in quality assurance. While he is not a profes-sional metrologist by the criteria I hold to, he is by bothtraining and experience a highly qualified calibrator--far above the norm. It will not take much more educa-tion to elevate him to the standards that I hold to berequired for a profession metrologist. (What these aremay be a point of controversy for future discussion, butnot here and now.) He has been working for hispresent employer for several years studying manufac-turing processes to determine how the proper applica-tion of metrology can improve the product yield andlower costs.

Naturally I cannot reveal details of his thesis at thistime. And while admittedly I do not agree with certainportions of his analysis and proposals, I do feel that inthis thesis he has made several statements that arebetter than just good--some are, I feel, magnificent;and a few cases are classics. With his permission I willquote and comment on a few here:

--Metrology is a system. It must be looked at on a worldwide scale. It cannot be localized. It cannot exist in a vacuum.--

Many times I have used the expression, Metrologyand metrologists cannot exist in an Ivory Tower. Ithink we were saying the same thing in different analo-gies. His next statement, I told him, is or should be aclassic and should be emblazoned on the walls ofevery corporate boardroom and every metrology labo-ratory in the world.

Effective metrology requires a highly vis- ible top-down commitment by management.It cannot be left to the individual whims of the technician, the engineer, or the product line manager.

In previous columns you have heard me preach (orsoap box if you prefer) that an effective metrologyorganization can only be managed by competent ad-ministrative metrologist reporting directly and solely totop management. It must not be hidden either organi-zationally or physically. It must stand out such thatevery member of the parent organization from top tobottom can observe its every move as it sets anexample of efficiently, efficaciousness, ethics, andintegrity. It must become the conscious of the entireorganization.

Example in point: Once when I was auditing a

metrology operation in a very large, very sophisticatedmanufacturing plant, I found the calibration laboratoryhad been well designed from the visibility standpoint. Itwas at the junction of two main corridors with continu-ous large plate-glass windows on the two exposedsides. However, as soon as they had moved in, thetechnicians, with the encouragement of supervision,had totally covered the glass with posters, charts, andother obscurities. When I asked why, both the techni-cians and their supervision told me, We dont wantanybody looking in on us. In my report to managementI simply asked, What cabalistic rituals are they at-tempting to hide? I never got back to check on it; butI was told management got the idea, and suddenly notonly were the obscurities removed but two layers ofsupervision went out the door also.

This next one is a basic truth that should applywherever there is a properly applied metrological over-view of whatever is the process of interest, be it duringinitial concept or field or warranty service of the productafter sale, or anywhere in-between.

Metrology--makes the usual assumption that the data collected is questionable and uncertain--

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As I have said so many times before, a properlyempowered metrology organization must become to-tally responsible for the validity of all measurementsmade within its area of jurisdiction, irrespective of whomakes them. The precepts of democratic jurispru-dence (i.e., innocent until proven guilty) cannot andmust not be allowed to exist here. All measurements,including those made by the metrology organizationitself, must be suspect until irrefutability proven correct(i.e., guilty until proven innocent.). No measurementcan be made correct by edict or fiat, except those madeby the National Standards Agency (NIST); and that isonly because Congress said so. If this were not true wewould have technological anarchy.

This next one is a truism that I have preached manytimes.

--Metrology cannot exist unless it is uni- formly applied to everyone in the process.--

How many times have we heard the baselessargument, My measurements dont need to be checkedbecause I am doing R&D, not production. Or I dontwant my instruments calibrated as I am only makingcomparative measurements. The best irrefutableargument I have ever encountered was written 41years ago in 1962. You will find it in NBS MiscellaneousPublication 248, Page 203, in a paper entitled Instru-ment Recall Concepts and Policies, and authored by

none other than Jerry L. Hayes, the long-time head ofthe U.S Navy Metrology Engineering Laboratory. Thisis one of the classic papers I belief that our Editorintends to include in this journal in his new regularfeature entitled:

METROLOGY: ITS ROOTS AND ORIGINS.

This next one hopefully might straighten out theconvoluted thinking of many individuals who have anincomplete and/or erroneous concept of what metro-logical traceability is all about.

--Traceability is the property of the result of a measurement, not of an instrument or of a calibration report, or of a laboratory. It is not achieved by following a special procedure or by using special equipment.--

I think that this one is pretty clear and needs littlereinforcement from me. Mr. Harris has obviouslylearned some of his lessons very well. My final quota-tion from his thesis in this column is one which I am notquite sure to call a soliloquy or a monologue, or amonograph; nevertheless, it is a commendable train of

thought that all in any aspect of metrology shouldunderstand thoroughly.

--Calibration is actually the act of histori- cal story telling. It is the act of creating an NIST traceable uncertainty statement. It relates a units performance with respect to an SI unit of measurement at a specific time, using a specific set of standards, by a specific individual, at a specific place, in a specific environment. Even a unit operat- ing well outside of its stated manufacturers range of operation can be calibrated using this philosophy. Physical adjustments of indication to closely represent the value targeted is strictly an act for ease of use and interpretation. Without a qualifying uncertainty statement it has little mean- ing.--

Learn that and you will have learned what calibra-tion is all about. However, some purists may challengeMr. Harris inclusion of adjustments. Many puristsinsist that no adjustments are ever allowed duringcalibration--that is a maintenance function, and thedevice must be recalibrated after any maintenanceactivity. But that is an argument for another day.

We will call it quits for now, but I would like to ask onefavor of any of you who snap out of your lethargy andelect to contact me. Please, when you are contacting

concerning material in a specific column, tell me whichcolumn you are referring to by number. For example,this column is Number 34. Some of you just open upand start, I read your column and go on thus and so,etc. I never know which column you are referring to.A couple of months ago an individual called, and it tookquite a few minutes of AT&T long distance time to figureout that they were referring to a column published threeyears ago. When I write a column I have only a vagueidea when it will be published and even less of an ideawhen you may receive it. But with a number I canidentify it instantly. Thank you.

I can still be contacted at the same old stand:

Phil Painchaud1110 West Dorothy DriveBrea, CA. 92821-2017Phone: 1-714-529-6604FAX: 1-529-1109e-Mail:[email protected] or [email protected]

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Philip Stein

The ContrarianThe ContrarianThe ContrarianThe ContrarianThe ContrarianMetrologistMetrologistMetrologistMetrologistMetrologist

LEARNING TO READ

Its the primary job of the Contrarian Metrologist tobe grumpy, to scold his readers for failing to behavewhen they know better or, in some cases for notknowing better.

As regular and irregular readers of this columnknow too well, I have been a laboratory quality systemsassessor for the past five years and have worked forthree different accreditation bodies during that time,performing about 120 assessments to the require-ments of ISO/IEC 17025.

The accreditation process is quite different thanwhat most organizations are used to. Quality systemsare widely known by now. Every quality manager andmost other management is familiar with the ISO 9000series, and many of them have been through theregistration process. As useful as 9000 is, its a stroll inthe park compared to ISO/IEC 17025; and many labsare just not ready for the difference.

Officially, the difference between registration (9000)and accreditation (17025) is that an accredited organi-zation has been judged to be competent at performingthe work listed on its scope of accreditation. An ac-creditation assessment is carried out by an assessorwho is an expert in the relevant fields and can fullyunderstand the work that he or she observes. A regis-tration audit checks to see that the organization has a

conformant documented quality system and that saidsystem is fully operational that is that everyone andevery activity in the company follows it. The issue ofwhether the work under that system accomplisheswhat it is supposed to (e.g. calibrating micrometers)never comes up.

Thus, an accreditation assessor will in general lookvery much more closely at everything going on relevantto the work. This extreme care (nit-picking) extends toevery aspect of the quality system, even to the extentof finding holes in processes that have been previouslyvetted and approved by an ISO 9000 audit (this can bevery annoying to a laboratory that thought they weredoing well, only to be told that some other auditor waswrong and missed something important).

My scolding today concerns peoples ability to readand understand what they see. ISO/IEC 17025 as-sessments are much pickier about certain details, andthis leads to some difficult situations. Heres an actualexample from a recent job.

The standard, ISO/IEC 17025 says 4.8 Complaints:The laboratory shall have a policy and procedure forthe resolution of complaints received from clients orother parties.

Now I think this is very clearly written (some part ofthe standard are not as clear) and quite explicit. Tounderstand what is required, it is necessary to read thesentence carefully.

When visiting a lab, I found that they did not haveany mechanism for dealing with complaints, and so Icited a deficiency to the requirements: No policy orprocedure for handling complaints was in evidence.Now maybe Im nave, but I think someone reading firstthe standard and then my citation should have a prettygood idea what to do in order to clear the deficiency andconform to the standard: WRITE A POLICY AND APROCEDURE FOR HANDLING COMPLAINTS. Isthat so hard to understand? Further, the proceduremust concern itself with complaints from clients orother parties. A document that refers only to customercomplaints doesnt cut it and I have written many

citations for this omission as well.Theres one other set of details that needs to be

attended to in order for the newly written document tobe conformant to the requirements and to be approved.Every company is required (even under 9000) to havea procedure by which policies are written and approved(right signatures, etc.). Approved procedures must beappropriately identified (usually with a number) andtheir existence (or changes performed) entered on amaster list along with the date of the initial approval orof the change. In order to approve the work and close

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out the deficiency, I need to see the policy, the proce-dure, and the master list; and they must all match andmake sense together. In other words, I have to readthem carefully, as carefully as the accreditation cus-tomer should have read the standard and my citation inthe first place.

So, please, if your laboratory is going to be as-sessed, take the time to learn how to read both thestandard and your citations. Youll save yourself andeveryone else a lot of wasted time and trouble.

T. Stuart Shannon & Associates, Inc. On-site Calibration Services Metrology Consulting & Training Temporary & Project Staffing Program Design & Set-up Temperature & Humidity Metrology Engineering &Room/Chamber Mapping Procedure Writing

Internal & External Auditing Equipment Sales & Service Systems Integration Metrology Program Management Inspection & Testing Services Equipment & Facility Validation

For more information:

Call Toll Free 866-799-0186 Email [email protected]

Or visit us on the web @ www.Shannon-Associates.Com

Important Upcoming Events

Conference Dates Location Contact Number Website

ACMC Met/CMM Course October 17-20, 2003 Montreal, Canada 613-990-2999 www.acmc-canada.com

MSC January 14-16, 2004 Anahiem, CA 310-574-2027 www.msc-conf.com

uality Expo Detr April 19-21, 2004 Novi, (Detroit) MI 888-267-3794 www.quality.reedexpo.com

IDW May 10-14, 2004 Nashville, TN 865-574-4261 [email protected]

ASQ AQC May 24-26, 2004 Toronto, Canada 800-248-1946 www.asq.org

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TELEPHONE MEETING MINUTES

MEASUREMENT QUALITY DIVISION

APRIL 18, 2003

1:00 PM CENTRAL TIME

The meeting was called to order as scheduled bythe Chair-Elect, Dilip Shah.

Attending were:Duane Allen ([email protected])Chris Grachanen ([email protected])Phil Stein ([email protected])Hershal Brewer ([email protected])Jay Bucker ([email protected])Mark Schoenlein([email protected])Frank Voehl ([email protected])Bill McCullough--t.b.a.Sheryl Furger ([email protected])Phil Painchaud ([email protected])E. Joseph Filipowicz ([email protected])

Discussion Items

Duane Allen mentioned that display materials forthe upcoming AQC were ordered, and no complica-tions were expected. It was agreed that, with Dilip, Philand Duane staffing the booth, the booth coverage wassufficient.

Chris Grachanen said that the launch of the firstCCT exam was well underway. The exam review wentOK. ASQ has reported that the initial sign-up ofapproximately 100 individuals to take the test is a verygood showing for the premier test.

CCT handbooks were to be distributed by MaryMartin. These will be available at the ACQ booth.

There was discussion by all concerning what ap-proach the division should make to the requirement fordeclaration of experience. A concern was how do otherorganizations within and without ASQ handle this re-

quirement to provide adequate information and insurethe credibility of the CCT certificate. Duane said hewould look into what kinds of options were convention-ally available to the division.

A proposal by Dilip Shah and seconded by PhilStein to issue funds not to exceed $3,000 to update theMQD website was tabled for lack of quorum stated byour by-laws. Duane stated he would put the proposalon the Internet to make the vote.

Dilip Shah gave a thorough review of the develop-ment of the CCT handbook. There was discussionabout not compromising the test nor getting into areas

not usually handled by ASQ divisions. Everyoneagreed that we need to pursue Dilips intent to makethis a comprehensive reference book for use by thoseseeking most questions about the profession. It ap-pears that the handbook could be of significant con-tent. A point was made and some investigation will bemade to insure that we are not reinventing the wheelin respect to terms and definitions. Close examinationwill be made by the editors to use definitions recom-mended by other bodies or to at least cite them as areference or bibliography item.

Phil Painchaud gave an overview of the program atCal State, Dominguez Hills. He explained how suc-cessful it has become and why as it involves their BSprogram in quality assurance.

In the course of our discussion, an action came upwhich was accepted by Duane Allen. The topic: checkout the timeline on how the Standard is printed anddeveloped from its earliest stages until it finally reachesmembers hands.

Hershal Brewer discussed his preparation for hisfuture activity as the coordinator for the next MQDConference. He sought other peoples advice that canbe provided in the future.

Financial Report

It was mentioned that we have approximately$77,000 in our account. Our records are up to date. Itseems we may be in arrears for our commitment to theASQ building fund. A question was raised from thefloor as to whether ASQ showed us on the record forcommitment to provide monies to the fund. DuaneAllen said he would check.

The next conference call is not yet scheduled butwill be held at 7:00 p.m. when it is scheduled.

A discussion was held about how share pointworks and its benefits to the user.

A copy of the division by-laws will be provided to all

officers.A motion to adjourn was provided by Duane Allen

and seconded by Phil Stein. The meeting adjournedabout 2:30 p.m. Central time.

Submitted byE. Joseph FilipowiczSecretaryMQD-ASQ

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Measurement Quality Division OfficersChairDilip A. ShahE = mc3 Solutions197 Great Oaks Trail #130Wadsworth, OH 44281-8215Voice (330) 328-4400/Fax (330) 336-3974E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

Chair-ElectChristopher L. GrachanenManager, Houston Metrology GroupHewlett-PackardP.O. Box 692000 MS070110Houston, TX 77269-2000Voice (281) 518-8486/Fax (281) 518-7275

E-mail: [email protected]

TreasurerMark SchoenleinOwens-Illinois Plastics GroupOne SeaGate, 29L-PPToledo, OH 43666Voice (419) 247-7285/Fax (419) 247-8770E-mail: [email protected]

SecretaryJay BucherManager, Metrology ServicesPromega Corporation6700 Royal View DriveDeForest, WI 53532Voice (608) 277-2522/Fax (608) 277-2516E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

Certification ChairChristopher L. GrachanenManager, Houston Metrology GroupHewlett-PackardP.O. Box 692000 MS070110Houston, TX 77269-2000

Voice (281) 518-8486/Fax (281) 518-7275E-mail: [email protected]

Program ChairHershal C. BrewerAccreditation Officer5360 Workman Mill RoadWhittier, CA 90601Voice (562) 699-0541, ext. 3309/Fax (562) 692-2845Mobile (949) 632-8762E-mail: [email protected]

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

NCSLI RepresentativeChristopher L. GrachanenManager, Houston Metrology GroupHewlett-PackardP.O. Box 692000 MS070110Houston, TX 77269-2000

Voice (281) 518-8486/Fax (281) 518-7275E-mail: [email protected]

NewsletterMark SchoenleinOwens-Illinois Plastics GroupOne SeaGate, 29L-PPToledo, OH 43666Voice (419) 247-7285/Fax (419) 247-8770E-mail: [email protected]

Examining ChairPhilip Stein400 Oak StreetPennington, NJ 08534Voice (609) 737-9421/Fax (609) 737-9144E-mail: [email protected]

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

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

Standards Committee RepresentativeBill McCullough--t.b.a.

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REGIONAL COUNCILORSRegion 1

Joseph Califano , Hemagen Diagnos-tics, Inc., 40 Bear Hill Road, Waltham,MA 02154 (417) 890-3766, FAX (617)890-3748

Region 2 Karl F. Speitel , 14 Kalleston Drive,Pittsford, NY 14534 (716) 385-1838

Region 3 Eduardo M. Heidelberg , CarterWallace, 61 Kendall Dr., Parlin, NJ08859 (609) 655-6521, FAX (609)655-6736

Region 4 Alex Lau , Imperial Oil, 111 St. ClairAve. W., Toronto, Ont., Canada M5W-1K3 (416) 968-4654, FAX (416) 968-5560, E-mail: [email protected]

Region 5 Richard A. Litts, 100 EvergreenDr.,Downingtown, PA E-mail:[email protected]

Region 6 Open

Region 7 Rolf B.F. Schumacher , Coast QualityMetrology Systems, Inc., 35 Vista DelPonto, San Clemente, CA 92672-3122 (949) 492-6321, FAX (949) 492-6321

Region 8 Open

Region 9 Dr. Henrik S. Nielson , HN MetrologyConsulting, Inc., 5230 Nob Lane, India-napolis, IN 46226 (317) 849-9577, E-mail: [email protected]

Region 10 Mark Schoenlein , Owens-Illinois Plas-tics Group, One SeaGate 29L-PP, To-ledo, OH 43666 (419) 247-7285, FAX(419) 247-8770, E-mail: [email protected]

Region 11Raymond Perham , Michelin Tire Corp.,Rt 4 Antioch Church, P.O. Box 2846,Greenville, SC 29605 (864) 458-1425,FAX (864) 458-1807, E-mail:[email protected], orhome E-mail: [email protected]

Region 12 Donald Ermer , University of Wiscon-sin Madison, 240 Mechanical Engineer-ing Bldg., 1513 University Avenue,Madison, WI 53706-1572 (608) 262-2557

Region 13 Thomas A. Myers , Bellevue Univer-sity, PMP, CQM, 1000 Galvin Rd. S.,Bellevue, NE 68123 1-800-756-7920

ext. 3714, FAX (402) 293-2035, E-mail: [email protected]

Region 14 Keith Bennett , Transcat (713) 465-4395, FAX E-mail:[email protected]

Region 15 Bryan Miller , 417 Robinhood Dr., Flo-rence, AL 35633 (256) 764-2733,FAX (256) 764-2733, E-mail:[email protected]

Region 25 Open

Please notify the editor of any errors or changes so that this list

can be updated.

REGIONAL MAP

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Documents

Standard Vol17-No2 (2003)