Douglas C. Fair

Chief operating officer

InfinityQS International

A quality professional with more than 35 years of experience in manufacturing, analytics, and statistical applications, Douglas C. Fair is the former chief operating officer at InfinityQS International, an SPC software company. At InfinityQS, he spent 25 years helping manufacturers around the world deploy SPC and benefit from its use. 

Fair holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial statistics from the University of Tennessee, and a Six Sigma Black Belt from the University of Wisconsin. He’s a regular contributor to various quality magazines and has co-authored two books on industrial statistics: Innovative Control Charting (ASQ Quality Press, 1998) and Quality Management in Health Care (Jones and Bartlett Publishing, 2004).

Mon, 06/26/2006 - 22:00
Top 10 SPC Mistakes, Part 1There are many ways to fail an SPC implementation, but yours doesn’t have to be one of them
Mon, 04/16/2018 - 12:03
As you think about your organization’s manufacturing quality efforts—what you’ve overcome and what you hope to accomplish in the future—there is something you need to know. You: What? Who? Me? Me: Yes, you. No matter how long you’ve been playing…
Analyzing Quality Data with the Right SPC ToolsProper analysis can turn information into gold
Wed, 10/25/2017 - 12:02
It’s not enough to collect the right data, ensure all your quality checks are done correctly and on time, and prioritize your quality improvement opportunities. You also need to be able to take advantage of those opportunities. In “What’s Your…
Optimize SPC Data CollectionDoing the right thing at the right time
Tue, 10/17/2017 - 12:01
Want to improve something? You’ve got to measure it first. If you’re motivated to improve product quality and reduce manufacturing costs, the first step in establishing a successful statistical process control (SPC) solution is getting some data.…
Making the Most of Quality DataProblems transformed into competitive business advantage
Tue, 06/27/2017 - 12:03
Plant-floor quality issues tend to focus on a company’s technical resources. When products fall out of spec, alarms sound and all hands are immediately on deck to fix things. Despite large technology investments to monitor and adjust production…
A Global View of QualityMonitoring and analyzing data across the supply chain
Thu, 01/14/2016 - 14:56
When a consumer goes to purchase a new car, the first thing they’ll notice is the vehicle’s make. Yes, the car may say “Toyota” or “Ford” on the outside, but what’s on the inside? In reality, the car’s components—from the tires to the transmission—…
Beyond SPCWhat else can your quality system do?
Fri, 11/06/2015 - 15:42
Sponsored Content Statistical process control (SPC) software has been around for decades, used by manufacturers across industries to help monitor process behavior and control quality on the shop floor. Like any technology, the software has…
Using Acceptance Sampling to Improve QualityDon’t ignore data that can be used to collaboratively work with your supplier
Wed, 05/25/2011 - 12:33
How do organizations confirm that supplier products comply with critical quality standards? For the most part, companies rely on inspectors to check incoming materials. Their results are compared with the company’s own quality standards and…
Integrating SPC and Acceptance SamplingLarry and the widgets
Tue, 08/26/2008 - 22:00
I travel too much. Invariably, though, it enriches me. I typically return with some unusual experience or a new story with which to regale my colleagues. One day, while sitting in another aluminum tube with wings, I struck up a conversation with…
SPC, the Big Picture
Mon, 06/23/2008 - 22:00
A few weeks ago, I found myself and my family on a beach making a sand castle. It was the last day of our vacation and shortly after we began working the warm South Carolina sand, an official approached us and asked if we would like to be…
3 Nevers of Control Limits, Part 3Never arbitrarily widen control limits
Mon, 04/28/2008 - 22:00
Never say “never”? I guess I overlooked that memo. In case you missed it, the last two columns were written about what you should never do with control limits. These three nevers, if avoided, will ensure that your control charts are useful, reliable…