About the Program:  APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) is a structured method of defining and establishing the steps necessary to assure that a product satisfies the customer.  Those who work in a QS9000 environment are very familiar with this rigorous team-based methodology. The Product Quality Cycle is our friend, the Plan-Do-Study (Check)-Act cycle.  The first three quarters of the cycle is Up-front Planning while the fourth quarter determines if the customer is satisfied and supports continuous improvement.  Mr. Lanier's comments will be directed both to those who are familiar with APQP and also those who can utilize the concept in their non-automotive business.  

About the Speaker: Brian Lanier is president and owner of Industrial Opportunities Quality Training, an industrial training firm specializing in quality improvement training.  Mr. Lanier has led seminars in many mid-western universities including Notre Dame, Michigan State, Toledo, Akron and Dayton.  Brian holds a BS in Math and an MS in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Ohio State.  He worked twenty years in industry for several companies and held positions in management, engineering and quality.  He started Industrial Opportunities in 1987.  Brian is a senior member of ASQ.