I recently received several bids for a small concrete project on the side of my house. The lowest bid was $1,400. Relying on the finest traditions of economy and scientific thought I had learned in college and as a quality professional, I decided to do the job myself. I figured it could be done for $200. This included a 4 cubic-foot wheelbarrow I had picked up at the hardware store and the help of my two sons, Mike and Jeff. They were nine years old and ripe for their first real job.

I agreed to pay them and told them it would be more fun than playing baseball. The conversation went something like this:

“OK boys, ready to do a quality job?”

“What’s quality, Dad?” Mike asked.

“Well, Mike, quality is conformance to requirements or specifications,” I replied, relieved he asked me a question I could finally answer. I could tell by the blank look on his face that he knew exactly what I meant.

“Then what are our requirements?” he asked hesitantly.

“You’ll see as we go along, son. Now help me get these sacks of concrete out of the trunk.”

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