Best Quality Control Books of 2026

Learning to See: Value Stream Mapping to Add Value and Eliminate MUDA is a workbook that explains how to use Toyota's mapping methodology to create lean value streams for each product family. The authors, John Shook and Mike Rother, provide guidance on identifying product families, drawing current-state and future-state maps, designating a manager for each value stream, and breaking implementation into easy steps. With detailed drawings and plain language, this book is an excellent resource for anyone looking to eliminate wasteful actions and create a sustainable production process. Overall, Learning to See is a must-read for leaders and managers interested in implementing lean management principles.

The Lean Six Sigma Pocket Toolbook is a comprehensive reference guide for those looking to implement Lean Six Sigma. It provides analyses of nearly 100 tools and methodologies and explains each tool's purpose, use, and efficacy. The book is organized by purpose and usage and covers the DMAIC improvement cycle. With detailed examples and step-by-step instructions, this compact and portable guide is ideal for Green and Black Belts transitioning from the classroom to the field. Overall, the book is an excellent resource for anyone looking to maximize production efficiency and maintain control over the managerial process.

She Thinks Like a Boss is a must-read for women who want to become effective leaders in the workplace. Author Jemma Roedel offers practical tips on how to develop self-esteem, sharpen trust, and improve communication skills. The book also addresses imposter syndrome, a common issue among women in leadership. Roedel shares insights from successful women in leadership and provides easy-to-follow steps for readers to become effective leaders themselves. This book is a valuable resource for anyone new to leadership or looking to manage a team more effectively.

This comprehensive training manual, titled "Six Sigma: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide," is a valuable resource for those looking to learn Six Sigma or seeking certification. The guide covers the necessary Body of Knowledge and can be used during open-book examinations. It is suitable for both beginners and advanced learners, and the methodology can be applied across virtually any industry. This book is an excellent choice for individuals looking to increase their income or stand out from the competition. Overall, this guide offers the largest value available and is a must-have for anyone interested in quality improvement initiatives.

Elevate: Build a Business Where Everybody Wins by Tommy Mello, the Home Service Millionaire, is a book that teaches readers how to succeed in business by learning from his experiences and those of successful business gurus. Mello provides insights on how to train and inspire employees, teach accountability, and improve performance for any size business. This book is a lively discussion of what it takes to succeed in business leadership and is a must-read for anyone looking to elevate their business skills.

The third edition of "Creating a Lean Culture: Tools to Sustain Lean Conversions" by David Mann is a must-read for any leader looking to implement and sustain a successful Lean transformation. Mann provides critical insights and approaches to develop a culture that involves stakeholders at all levels of an organization. The book covers tactics for navigating politics in cross-functional process improvement projects and engaging executives in ways that are personally meaningful to them. The addition of a new chapter on engaging executive leadership alone makes this book worth the price. Overall, this book is a valuable resource for any serious Lean practitioner or performance transformation leader.

The ASQ Certified Six Sigma Green Belt Handbook is a comprehensive guide designed for those preparing for the ASQ Six Sigma Green Belt certification exam. It not only provides a helpful reference to the materials required for successful Green Belt projects but also serves as a valuable resource for those who understand the basic concepts of reducing variation and improving processes. The book is mapped to the 2022 version of ASQ's Body of Knowledge (BoK) and authored by Roderick A. Munro, Govind Ramu, and Daniel J. Zrymiak, who are all ASQ Fellows and have multiple ASQ certifications. This book is an excellent addition to any quality control professional's library.

The book "Lean Thinking: Banish Waste and Create Wealth in Your Corporation, Revised and Updated" is a bestselling business classic that presents a business system for the 21st century based on the Toyota (lean) model. The book combines operational excellence with value-based strategies to produce steady growth through a wide range of economic conditions. The authors, internationally renowned management analysts, present case studies of firms that have successfully implemented lean thinking. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to improve their business model and create long-term success.

The book "ISO 9001:2015 in Plain English" by Craig Cochran is a comprehensive guide to understanding the requirements of the ISO 9001:2015 standard. Written in plain language, it is suitable for both beginners and experienced ISO coordinators. Cochran uses real-world examples and frequently asked questions to explain each section and clause of the standard. The book also provides guidance on implementing a quality management system, validation of processes, work instructions, and more. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for anyone looking to understand ISO 9001:2015 and its application in their organization.

Maintenance and Reliability Best Practices is a practical guide for those working in engineering, purchasing, finance, maintenance, reliability, or production, and especially for those preparing for a professional maintenance and reliability certification. The book has been updated to reflect the latest developments in technology and thinking, including innovative material related to leadership, change management, ISO standards, maintenance optimization, and communication. The addition of self-assessment questions in each chapter makes it easier for readers to learn and study pertinent topics. Overall, the book is a great resource for developing a road map to reliability and setting up an effective maintenance program.