Jay Leno and Jerry Seinfeld are sitting in a coffee shop.

I know this sounds like the beginning of a joke…and it kind of is.

During their conversation, the two legendary comedians turn their attention to smartphones and Leno’s outdated flip phone. He is quick to point out (even with his ancient cell phone) that the technology has progressed to the point that the moment you hit the send button, the call is, or can be, traced, yet many modern movies still have that depiction of a room packed with FBI agents trying to keep the criminal “on the line” so they can trace the call. Leno provides the punchline when he quotes the boss saying, “Did we get it?!” and mimics the agent, disappointed look on his face, taking off his headset, and shaking his head.

This anecdote points out two things—the importance of traceability and the role technology can play in understanding, “How did we get here?” Take, for instance, building your family tree, or taking a DNA test, to help better understand your heritage.

This anecdote points out two things—the importance of traceability and the role technology can play in understanding, “How did we get here?” Take, for instance, building your family tree, or taking a DNA test, to help better understand your heritage.

However, more often than not, tracing something back to its origins is part of an attempt to correct something. As in the story of the FBI agents, tracing the call to its origin could help authorities locate the criminals, prevent a tragedy and potentially save lives. Scientists have mapped the human genome, allowing them to isolate the DNA of an individual and identify different codes and also offering evidence that diseases transmitted from parent to child are linked to certain genes. Called sequencing, the genome map can provide a “molecular diagnosis,” which allows physicians greater diagnostic capabilities and the ability to tailor treatments specifically for an individual patient. 

In the quality industry, improvement in technology and techniques has led directly to improved traceability, root cause analysis, and process control. A perfect example is the progress made in SPC software. As contributing editor Genevieve Diesing writes, “Statistical process control (SPC) software has become an indispensable tool for quality managers. It provides a comprehensive view of the production process, enabling managers to detect any deviations from the standard process and take corrective actions to ensure that the final product meets the desired specifications.”

So check out Genevieve’s article, “Advances in SPC Software Make it Indispensable” and everything else we have to offer in this month’s Quality.

Enjoy and thanks for reading!