ASQ Discussion Boards

Replies: 9

William Pflanz

Posts: 1,400

Data on Minimally Used Forums
Posted: Jul 24, 2008 12:38 PM

When we were working on improving the board I did some analysis on the use of forums. Based on that data, the recommendation was made to review and then remove forums that showed minimal interest.

Here is some recent data that shows why the recommendation should be considered again. The following are a selection of forums, #threads/#postings so far and the date the forum was started.

Economic Case for Quality 8/47 3/9/07

Baldrige for Education 6/51 8/12/05

No Child Left Behind 3/28 2/16/06

Quality in Higher Education 11/47 10/14/04

Quality of E-learning 5 / 43 10/26/04

Scholarship of Teaching 5 / 21 3/12/08

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt for Healthcare 0 / 0 2/14/08 (even moderator has not posted anything yet)

ANCOR Performance Excellence 11/52 1/16/06

Note that there have been 5 forums created just for the area of education including a new one this year even though there has been minimal interest for the others.

Not all have moderators and even those that do have minimal participation in there own forum that they are responsible for.

The issue is not whether new forums should be added but whether there needs to be a formal process for maintaining the board. It sounds like a process improvement opportunity to me.

Bill Pflanz

Max Breizh

Posts: 90

Re: Data on Minimally Used Forums
Posted: Jul 24, 2008 10:15 PM

Good to see data - good analysis, I agree.

Web Offerings

Posts: 194

Re: Data on Minimally Used Forums
Posted: Jul 25, 2008 4:24 PM

We are in the process of an audit of unused boards. Thank you for these suggestions. We appreciate the data and input.

Wesley Richardson

Posts: 1,258

Re: Data on Minimally Used Forums
Posted: Jul 26, 2008 11:29 AM

> We are in the process of an audit of unused boards.

When the discussion board audit is completed, please post the conclusions and planned changes.

Wes R.

William Pflanz

Posts: 1,400

Re: Data on Minimally Used Forums
Posted: Jul 28, 2008 7:45 AM

I agree with Wes. The regulars and audit moderators may be able to evaluate the planned changes before they are implemented. The risk you run of making changes without notification is the opportunity for feedback on the pros and cons of the changes. That said, someone will still need to make an executive decision and communicate why it was made.

Bill Pflanz

Wesley Richardson

Posts: 1,258

Re: Data on Minimally Used Forums
Posted: Aug 5, 2008 2:20 PM

Suggestions for combining ASQ Discussion Boards.

Move Sarbanes-Oxley into Current Events. Note that in the description of Current Events, Sarbanes-Oxley is listed as the third item.

Combine the following into Statistics and have the Statistics Division moderate:
Basic Statistics (currently moderated by Statistics Div.)
Designed Experiments (Statistics Div.)
Statistical Process Control (Statistics Div.)
Statistics (Statistics Div.)
Statistical Practice in Business and Industry

Combine the following into Six Sigma and host by the Six Sigma Forum:
Six Sigma (Statistics Div.)
Six Sigma Forum (Six Sigma Forum)

Delete Lean Six Sigma Black Belt for Healthcare. There have been zero posts since it was created February 14, 2008. The topics are already covered in Healthcare and Six Sigma boards.

Combine the following into Education and host by the Education Division:
Education
Baldrige for Education
No Child Left Behind
Quality in Higher Education
Quality of E-learning
Scholarship of Teaching

Move Food Quality into Food Drug & Cosmetic.

Combine the following into Board Information:
Announcements
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Rules/Guidelines
Suggestions & Feedback

Combine the following into Quality Disciplines:
Quality Disciplines and Technology
Current Events
Quality Roundtable

Wes R.

Steven Prevette

Posts: 1,506

Re: Data on Minimally Used Forums
Posted: Aug 5, 2008 4:32 PM

Good ideas, I second the motion.

- Steve

Richard Ickler

Posts: 641

Re: Data on Minimally Used Forums
Posted: Aug 5, 2008 5:50 PM

> Suggestions for combining ASQ Discussion Boards.
>
> Combine the following into Statistics and have the
> Statistics Division moderate:
> Basic Statistics (currently moderated by Statistics
> Div.)
> Designed Experiments (Statistics Div.)
> Statistical Process Control (Statistics Div.)
> Statistics (Statistics Div.)
> Statistical Practice in Business and Industry
>

Statistical Practice in Business and Industry is a Public board and the others ar ASQ Member boards. I would leave this one out of the combination. It's stated purpose also seems to be substantially different than the other boards.

I would agree with the other suggestions.

Richard

William Pflanz

Posts: 1,400

Re: Data on Minimally Used Forums
Posted: Aug 6, 2008 9:50 AM

I believe the Statistics Division have always had their own discussion board and had reservations about joining the ASQ board. They would have to agree to the change and also to consolidate the others. The same would be true for any of the other forums that are sponsored by divisions.

Assuming an agreement can be reached, I support the consolidations.

Bill Pflanz

Duke Okes

Posts: 546

Re: Data on Minimally Used Forums
Posted: Jul 25, 2008 5:50 PM

Another consideration should be # of forums on same topics. Last time I looked there were 5 or more on statistics! Why not reduce that to 1 or 2? Otherwise people don't know where to post.