Process Improvement Essentials: CMMI, Six Sigma, and ISO 9001 (Paperback)

by James Persse (Author)
Key Phrases: continuous representation, quality policy, product integration, Six Sigma, Process Area, Quality Manual (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Today, technology has become too much a part of overall corporate success for its effectiveness to be left to chance. The stakes are too high. Fortunately, the idea of 'quality management' is being reinvigorated. In the last decade process programs have become more and more prevalent. And, out of all the available options, three have moved to the top of the chain. These three are:

• The 9001:2000 Quality Management Standard from the International Standards Organization;
• The Capability Maturity Model Integration from the Software Engineering Institute; and
• Six Sigma, a methodology for improvement shaped by companies such as Motorola, Honeywell, and General Electric.

These recognized and proven quality programs are rising in popularity as more technology managers are looking for ways to help remove degrees of risk and uncertainty from their business equations, and to introduce methods of predictability that better ensure success.

Process Improvement Essentials combines the foundation needed to understand process improvement theory with the best practices to help individuals implement process improvement initiatives in their organization. The three leading programs: ISO 9001:2000, CMMI, and Six Sigma--amidst the buzz and hype--tend to get lumped together under a common label. This book delivers a combined guide to all three programs, compares their applicability, and then sets the foundation for further exploration. It's a one-stop-shop designed to give you a working orientation to what the field is all about.

About the Author
James Persse is an IT professional specializing in Process Management, Continuous Quality Improvement, Software Process Improvement, Industry Best Practices Design, and Cultural and Organizational Change. He has held executive positions in the healthcare, telecom, and technology industries, and serves now as a process consultant for companies adopting CMMI, ITIL, ISO 9001:2000, and CobiT. With 20 years in the technology industry and a PhD in Management & Process Improvement, James has implemented successful CMMI programs across multi-industry disciplines. He is a Carnegie Mellon University / Software Engineering Institute (CMU SEI) Authorized Lead Appraiser and CMMI Instructor, and SEI Partner. James is the author of "Implementing the Capability Maturity Model" (Wiley) and "Bit x Bit: Topics In Technology Management" (Little Hill Press).

Product Details

• Paperback: 350 pages
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media, Inc. (September 14, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0596102178
• ISBN-13: 978-0596102173
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #287,680 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Should be required "first reading" for process improvement..., January 14, 2007

By	Thomas Duff "Duffbert" (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I've had the dubious "pleasure" of reading process improvement books that would make your eyes bleed. Fortunately, this isn't one of them... Process Improvement Essentials: CMMI, Six SIGMA, and ISO 9001 by James R. Persse. This is a perfect "first look" at the subject for someone who doesn't yet know what they don't know...

Contents:
Part One - Process and Process Improvement: Introduction; The Case for Process; Establishing Your Process Program; Sustaining Process Improvement
Part Two - Three Major Process Improvement Standards: ISO 9001:2000; The Capability Maturity Model Integration (For Development); Six Sigma; Considerations For Adoption
Index

The problem with many books on this subject is that they dive into the details of a specific program before you really understand *why* you're doing this in the first place. That's fine for someone who has already decided on a particular approach, but it's completely unsuited to someone who really just needs to get a broad overview. Persse solves this issue by starting out with a high-level look at Process Improvement... why it's necessary, how it works, and how it's best implemented. Based on his years of experience, he is able to point out the mindsets and approaches that will either jumpstart or doom a process improvement initiative. Only after the reader has the mental framework does he introduce details on the three major process improvement frameworks commonly seen in the market today. There's enough detail in each of the chapters to understand how the framework functions and what it's designed to resolve, but not so much that the reader (at the targeted level) decides it's all too complicated and walks away. After reading this book, you should know what it is that you don't know, have an idea as to what areas to focus on, and be prepared to take *intelligent* next steps. And before you decide to sink hundreds of thousands of dollars into a program, that's a great place to be starting at.

I'd consider this "required reading" for anyone contemplating a process improvement initiative. Time and dollars invested here will ensure much better value for the money you'll end up spending down the road...

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An engaging overview of the field of process improvement, November 10, 2006

By	uniq "uniq" (El Dorado Hills, CA United States) - See all my reviews

There are currently three major international standards in process improvement: CMMI, ISO 9001, and Six Sigma. In the past, I have had a hard time finding insights about the commonalities and differences between these three standards. Most of books and instructors focus on one of these standards. Luckily, I stumbled on this book.

I have never expected a process book to be that interesting and entertaining to read! I found the author's style very engaging; most of the book, except pieces covering specific details of each standard, is *not* "dry" or boring, which I can't say about other process books that I looked at. Secondly, the author's knowledge and experience make everything logical and convincing, even comforting.

The book consists of two parts. The first one is filled with real life examples designed to show an executive or a skeptic (in my past past experience, these words were synonyms) that process must be managed and can be improved. In other words, if one wants a business to succeed, he better understands the processes comprising that business, monitors and measures them, and improves these processes continuously.

The second part of the book is split into three chunks: CMMI, ISO 9001, and Six Sigma. Each of these three chapters have an excellent overview of a standard's history, its main gist, and the differences with the other two standards, as well as a concise descriptions of its concepts and components.

This book will be a pleasant surprise for those who don't have time to compile numerous sources on the topic, or who fall asleep reading traditionally written process books.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars PI book review, January 9, 2007

By	D. Collins - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a good book if you're not bound to a specific model/framework. It gives recommendation for CMMI, Six Sig and ISO process frameworks. Easy read.