IRCA Japan Forum 2012 - Survival is optional

‘It is not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory.’ W Edwards Deming's observation is more relevant than ever with global change in economies, technology, customer demands and demographics. Society, government, organisations and individuals are now firmly confronted with the need to change or die. This year's forum places the business management system and auditing in context. The context of course is not just compliance to a standard, it is creating value, it is business improvement and organisational excellence, it is innovation and increasingly it is about sustainability and protecting the environment. Considering the dire economic environment, the context is survival. Sometimes as organisations and auditors we lose sight of the wider purpose of what we do. This forum reminds us of the outputs of quality and the positive effects these have in addressing the national and global economic challenges, and explores the way we approach the management system and audit to reflect this new paradigm.

The highlights of the Forum include:

The Global Challenge - Future Forces - by Paul Borowksi, CEO American Society for Quality

This session will explore eight forces that will play a role in the future of quality for organisations as determined through worldwide, in-depth qualitative research and deliberation among 140 quality leaders led by the ASQ. In addition to global responsibility and consumer awareness, the forces include globalisation, the increasing rate of change, workforce of the future, aging population, 21st-century quality, and innovation.

The Value of Management Systems – the USA Perspective - by John Knappenberger, President and CEO, ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board

More than ever, organisations need to improve operations to better gain, serve and retain customers while reducing costs, improving margins and managing risk in an ever changing global economy. This session will outline how the value of management systems and accredited certification this is being defined and promoted in the USA and provide useful insights into how organisations, the certification industry and auditors can communicate the value of systems certification.

View full event programme.