Quotes and sayings from Philip B. Crosby

Philip Bayard “Phil” Crosby (June 18, 1926 – August 18, 2001) was an American businessman and author who significantly influenced management theory and quality management practices.

Early Life and Career:

Born in Wheeling, West Virginia, in 1926, Crosby served in the Navy during World War II and again during the Korean War.
He earned a degree from the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine.
His first job in quality was as a test technician at Crosley Corporation in Richmond, Indiana.
Later, he became a senior quality engineer at The Martin Company in Orlando, Florida, where he developed the concept of Zero Defects.
Zero Defects and Quality Is Free:

Crosby initiated the Zero Defects program at The Martin Company, credited with reducing rejection rates and scrap costs.
In 1979, he published the influential book “Quality Is Free: The Art of Making Quality Certain.”
Facing a North American quality crisis due to Japanese competition, Crosby advocated for “doing it right the first time” (DIRFT).
Four Major Principles:

The definition of quality is conformance to requirements (both product and customer requirements).
The system of quality is prevention.
The performance standard is zero defects (relative to requirements).
The measurement of quality is the price of nonconformance.
Legacy and Impact:

Crosby’s belief was that organizations embracing quality management principles would see savings that outweigh the cost of quality systems.
His philosophy—“quality is free”—continues to resonate in the pursuit of excellence.
Philip Crosby’s commitment to quality and continuous improvement left an enduring mark on the business world