2026 - July ASQ Orange Empire, Section 0701, Monthly Meeting - July 14th

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· Focus: Internal + External Failure Costs

· Scope: Automotive + Aerospace

· Link to systems: ISO 9001 / IATF 16949 / AS 9100D

· Objectives:

• Understand COPQ and why it matters in day-to-day quality work
• Map COPQ categories to your existing data (PPM, scrap, warranty, chargebacks)
• Learn how to calculate COPQ and track it monthly
• Use COPQ to prioritize corrective action and prevention

Dan has extensive experience in leadership roles, particularly as a business owner for 14 years and CEO, I have guided teams from conducting root cause analysis to implementing improvement projects that achieved significant cost savings.

As a certified Lead Auditor, I helped US organizations improve supplier management by performing quality management system audits in the US, Asia, and Europe.

I have been a Six Sigma Black Belt certified by the American Society for Quality since 2003. I also hold a master's degree in engineering, a business analyst certification from CSUF, and a certification in “AI for Business” from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

I am currently a consulting partner with Expense Reduction Analysts (ERA) Group, North America.

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This presentation draws on my direct experience in quality assurance within the automotive industry, focusing on my role as Deputy Manager overseeing organization‑wide quality system compliance, responsible for enterprise ISO governance and leading cross‑functional quality assurance initiatives. I will share my experience in creating, updating, and monitoring ISO documentation on a real‑time cloud‑based platform for the entire organization, ensuring that teams have access to accurate, need‑to‑know information at all times. I will also walk through how ISO standards were introduced and implemented across different operational stages, and how information technology supported these efforts to strengthen accuracy, traceability, and overall system performance.

A key portion of the presentation will highlight the development of a Python‑based enterprise inventory program designed to improve data integrity and support quality assurance activities. The presentation will also emphasize the human side of quality systems, specifically how employees build confidence, form collaborative groups, and actively contribute to creating, supporting, and maintaining effective quality assurance processes. The presentation will show how integrating standards, practical IT solutions, and active employee participation can build a stronger, more sustainable quality culture

Anant Prabhudesai worked as the Deputy Manager in the automotive components sector, where he oversaw organization-wide quality system compliance, supported enterprise ISO governance and led cross-functional quality assurance initiatives. In this role, he worked with OEMs such as TATA, JBM, and Olectra (BYD Group), contributing to system development, documentation control, and the integration of cloud-based and Python-built tools that improved operational transparency and efficiency. He was also involved in major updates to the company’s quality documentation, giving him direct exposure to internal audits, external audits, and ISO-driven process requirements.

He is currently pursuing an MBA at Chapman University, using his industry experience as a foundation to broaden his managerial perspective and strengthen his ability to work on practical, team-based projects.

Outside of academics and work, Anant is an internationally rated chess player with tournament experience across Europe, the Middle East, Russia, and Asia. He has defeated rising Grandmasters such as Praggnanandhaa and Iniyan, and secured a draw against SuperGrandmaster Merab Gagunashvili, former national champion of Georgia. Earlier in his journey, he won gold medals for his school chess team in every eligible year and captained the team twice. He also captained his state’s B-team at the national level at age ten and served as General Secretary of his higher secondary school’s student council.