Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) Practice Exam 2025 - Comprehensive All-in-One Study Guide for Exam Success!

The American Society for Quality (ASQ) defines "quality" as the totality of features and characteristics of a product or service that bear on its ability to satisfy stated or implied needs. This definition emphasizes a comprehensive view of quality that encompasses various aspects such as design, performance, reliability, and customer expectations.

This holistic approach captures the essence of what quality represents in the context of both products and services. It moves beyond mere compliance with specifications or the absence of defects, focusing instead on the overall customer experience and satisfaction it delivers. A quality product or service does not simply have a low defect rate or a certain price point; its attributes must align with what customers require and value.

In contrast, options like the extent to which a product meets customer demands, the price at which a product is sold, or the number of defects per thousand items produced only address specific components or metrics of quality but do not encompass the broader definition that the ASQ advocates. Quality is inherently multi-faceted, requiring an understanding of how various features and characteristics work together to fulfill customer needs effectively.