{domain:"www.qualitydigest.com",server:"169.47.211.87"} Skip to main content

User account menu
Main navigation
  • Topics
    • Customer Care
    • FDA Compliance
    • Healthcare
    • Innovation
    • Lean
    • Management
    • Metrology
    • Operations
    • Risk Management
    • Six Sigma
    • Standards
    • Statistics
    • Supply Chain
    • Sustainability
    • Training
  • Videos/Webinars
    • All videos
    • Product Demos
    • Webinars
  • Advertise
    • Advertise
    • Submit B2B Press Release
    • Write for us
  • Metrology Hub
  • Training
  • Subscribe
  • Log in
Mobile Menu
  • Home
  • Topics
    • 3D Metrology-CMSC
    • Customer Care
    • FDA Compliance
    • Healthcare
    • Innovation
    • Lean
    • Management
    • Metrology
    • Operations
    • Risk Management
    • Six Sigma
    • Standards
    • Statistics
    • Supply Chain
    • Sustainability
    • Training
  • Login / Subscribe
  • More...
    • All Features
    • All News
    • All Videos
    • Contact
    • Training

Picking Apart the QMS on the USS Enterprise, Part 1

I’m not a Trekkie, but I do know quality control

Tim Lozier
Wed, 01/16/2013 - 11:13
  • Comment
  • RSS

Social Sharing block

  • Print
Body

I am by no means a Trekkie. I don’t go to conventions, nor do I have all the episodes memorized and cataloged. I don’t even try and weigh in on Picard vs. Kirk (although I do have some valid points in that debate—another time). What I do know is I tend to see things in terms of quality management systems (QMS), and while watching an episode of Star Trek the other day, I started wondering about what type of QMS the starship USS Enterprise had during its prodigious trek through the stars.

ADVERTISEMENT

Taking the physics out of it, there are plenty of tricky considerations for running an operation in the deep reaches of space. Logistics, weaponry, medical, and engineering—on the Enterprise—all are state of the art. But what about its QMS? Was there a chief quality officer aboard? He didn’t get much screen time, if so:
Ensign Quality: “Captain, the corrective action is engaged.”
Kirk: “I need more analysis, ensign.”
Ensign Quality: “I can’t give you any more; I’m giving her all she’s got!”

Maybe there’s a reason the QMS was not prominently featured, but it’s fun to pretend. So what components of a QMS would be most critical to Kirk and the crew?

 …

Want to continue?
Log in or create a FREE account.
Enter your username or email address
Enter the password that accompanies your username.
By logging in you agree to receive communication from Quality Digest. Privacy Policy.
Create a FREE account
Forgot My Password

Add new comment

Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.
Please login to comment.
      

© 2025 Quality Digest. Copyright on content held by Quality Digest or by individual authors. Contact Quality Digest for reprint information.
“Quality Digest" is a trademark owned by Quality Circle Institute Inc.

footer
  • Home
  • Print QD: 1995-2008
  • Print QD: 2008-2009
  • Videos
  • Privacy Policy
  • Write for us
footer second menu
  • Subscribe to Quality Digest
  • About Us
  • Contact Us