Quality Progress, September 1997

The Complete Guide to the CQE, by Thomas PYZDEK, Tucson: Quality Publishing, Inc., 2405 N Avenida Sorgo, Tucson, AZ 85749. 1996. xvii + 619 pp., $99.00

This book is a comprehensive information source for quality engineering. It will be valuable not only for American Society for Quality (ASQ) certification (such as certified quality engineer) candidates, but for anyone interested in the quality field.

The book is organized into six parts, which discuss and integrate the key topics of quality engineering. Part 1 of the book describes the benefits of quality, domestic and international quality standards, quality philosophies, and quality skills. Professional conduct and ethics related to quality engineering are also described. Part 2 focuses on quality practices and applications, including human resource management, quality planning, quality information systems, supplier management, quality audit, cost of quality, and continuous improvement tools. Part 3 describes statistical principles and applications, which include distributions, statistical inference, correlation and regression analysis, experimental design, and acceptance sampling. Part 4 focuses on principles and applications of statistical process control, materials control, and work instructions. Part 5 describes measurement systems, such as metrology, destructive and nondestructive testing, and repeatability and reproducibility studies. Finally, Part 6 of the book deals with reliability systems, risk assessment tools, and product traceability systems.

An attractive feature of this book is the technical support provided by three accompanying manuals. One of the manuals consists of well-illustrated reference notes on quality engineering. The reference notes, developed by Bryan Dodson, David Nutt, and Timothy Johnson, consist of well-written definitions and formulas. The second manual, [The Complete Guide to the CQE Solutions Manual], was developed by Pyzdek and consists of presentation notes highlighting the book's key concepts. The third manual is a package of presentation materials that can be used as overheads. These overheads highlight the book's key ideas. The only negative aspect of this book is the absence of an objectives list at the beginning of each chapter, which list at the beginning of each chapter, which would have been helpful to readers in understanding each chapter's specific goals.

With everything this book offers, it is a must read for anyone preparing for the ASQ certification exam. It is well written and can be used as a standalone resource for quality engineering information.

Sohail Anwar

Penn State Altoona