CERTIFIED QUALITY ENGINEER (CQE)
BODY OF KNOWLEDGE
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The topics in this Body of Knowledge include subtext explanations and the cognitive level at which the questions will
be written. This information will provide useful guidance for both the Exam Development Committee and the candidate
preparing to take the exam. The subtext is not intended to limit the subject matter or be all-inclusive of that material that
will be covered in the exam. It is meant to clarify the type of content that will be included on the exam. The descriptor
in parentheses at the end of each entry refers to the maximum cognitive level at which the topic will be tested. A
complete description of cognitive levels is provided at the end of this document.
I. Management and Leadership (18 Questions)
A.
Quality Philosophies and Foundations
1. Evolution of Quality
Understand how modern quality has evolved from quality control through
statistical process control (SPC) to total quality management and leadership
principles (including Deming’s 14 points), and other continuous improvement
tools, including lean, six sigma, and theory of constraints. (Understand)
2. Continuous improvement tools
Describe continuous improvement tools, including lean, six sigma, theory of
constraints, statistical process control (SPC), and total quality management, and
understand how modern quality has evolved from quality control through statistical
process control (SPC) to total quality management and leadership principles
(including Deming’s 14 points). (Understand)
B.
The Quality Management System (QMS)
1. Strategic planning
Identify and define top management’s responsibility for the QMS, including
establishing policies and objectives, setting organization-wide goals, and
supporting quality initiatives. (Apply)
2. Deployment techniques
Define, describe, and use various deployment tools in support of the QMS such as:
a. Benchmarking
Define the concept of benchmarking...