As part of last year’s Masters Summit, hosted by the quality software specialists at MasterControl, Jeff Dewar, Quality Digest’s publisher, approached a few attendees for some candid comments. Since most people there were quality professionals of one sort or another, he cast a wide net and simply asked what they loved and hated about their jobs. We had no expectations for how this would go, but the cameras were rolling and the opportunity there for the taking.

Judging from the responses related below, quality departments are busy herding company processes into the digital corral. Nearly every person Jeff spoke with mentioned it. Of course, this was a conference centered around software solutions for that very issue, so it’s not surprising the topic would be top of mind. But it’s striking that all seem to be so well along in the vast process, like explorers dimly visible on an uncharted icecap. On camera, they have the confident, calm, and somewhat wary look of people who’ve had a life-changing experience and are wondering where you fit in. Maybe because of that, their opinions about quality love and hate come so readily; quality pros will doubtless recognize many of them.

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