Quality will be even more important in the 21st century than it is today. But it will also be different from what it is today. Statistical quality control is likely to have little significance since the process will be controlled either through process measurement, machining monitoring, or automated assembly. The role of the quality specialist must be to take actions that avoid quality problems. If the quality specialist does not accept this role, some other group will take on the responsibility and quality as a distinctive function will disappear.