Book Description

Readers will get spectacular results by following Harrington's basic principles and step-by-step plan for achieving total improvementmanagement. First, he shows how to integrate the four competing methodologies of total technology management, total quality management, total productivity management, and total cost management. Balancing each of these factors results in solid business decisions on where to spend limited resources to ensure long-term results. Next, he puts his total improvement management (TIM) pyramid into action in 15 steps that illustrate how to: Obtain upper management commitment and participation; Construct a strong business plan; Develop a customized 3-year improvement plan out of a clear vision statement; Establish process improvement teams; Upgrade systems to prevent problems before they occur; Motivate through employee recognition programs; And more! Armed with these tools, managers will be able to coordinate the many, often conflicting, improvement efforts going on in today's organizations--thereby achieving total improvement management and renewed customer loyalty. It's a goal that American business can't afford to miss, especially in today's highly competitive global marketplace. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Making Sense out of Improvement Initiatives
Harrington does an excellent job of presenting a methodology to understandhow all of those improvement 'flavors-of-the-month' can actually workTOGETHER to obtain that rosetta stone business strives for - synergy - inseeking improvement.The book is very well written, easy to understand,and will serve well as both a strategy book and a reference to keep handywhen one more 'initiative' arises the next month.Well worth the money. His work makes sense out of improvement intiatives. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent broad guage approach to Six Sigma
I'm sure no expert in the Six Sigma area, but I've read five or six books in the space and particularly liked this book. I'm a business person who has some responsibility for process efficiency and effectiveness and this book gave me more useful information about process measurement, process change and necessary culture change than any of the other books I've read. I particulary liked Chapter 14, which extends the quality moment to knowledge workers in service processes - the kind of processes that dominate US businesses today, even in manufacturing firms.

Mr. Bhote's analysis of the problems with these processes and his prescription to make them faster, better and cheaper is extensive and works in my business. Unlike the reviewer above, I think his description of Next Operation As Customer (NOAC) is both complete and addresses a VERY large problem for workplaces in all advanced countries - how to measure and improve business processes that are driven by the inventive, innovative work of white collar people. After all, the largest cost element, in aggregate, for US business is the direct labor cost of knowledge workers. His book is the only one I know that systematically addresses ways to get measurable productivity gains from this big corporate expense.

I can't speak to the efficacy of this book for Six Sigma green belts, black belts and master black belts. I am none of those. However, if you are a business person responsible for getting the most from your most expensive element of production, you won't be disappointed with this book.

Blinded by jargon
I'll tell you right away, I didn't read this entire book. In fact I only browsed it. I was put off by the first half of the book which disses just about every other flavor of Six Sigma out there. Of course, this book tells you the *right* way to do it. As to jargon: on page 332 he uses the acronym NOAC (next operation as customer). Then he goes on to talk about it for two pages without ever really defining it. You see, he's a professional. Don't try this at home.

If you need a cook book and love jargon, this is the book for you. ... Read more

Book Description

Not long ago total quality management was just a buzzword.Today, Total Quality is an integral component of management success in today's complex business environment. This text presents an overview of the key principles of total quality and links those concepts to traditional management practices and organizational models in management theory.

This book has three objectives:1) to familiarize readers with the basic principles and methods associated with total quality management; 2) to show readers how these principles and methods have been put into effect in a variety of organizations; and, 3) to illustrate the relationship between total quality principles and the theories and models studied in management courses.

James Evans, well-known professor, consultant, and Malcolm Baldrige Award Examiner, provides real-world illustration of the relationship between Total Quality principles and management and organizational theories. ... Read more

Book Description

In this concise, well-organized guide to developing high-quality school curricula, Glatthorn blends sound research, initiatives, and trends with his practical experience as a curriculum consultant to more than one hundred school systems. Glatthorn believes that shared leadership and responsibility are essential to achieve quality. Curriculum development should involve a collaborative process that includes input from the state, district leaders, school administrators, classroom teachers, and parents. From "Organizing and Planning for Curriculum Work" to "Conducting a Curriculum Audit to Ensure Quality," Developing a Quality Curriculum is a valuable resource for understanding and practicing sound curriculum development. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

For school administrators and teachers!
This book is a how-to guide for creating curriculum.It provides the recipe for school district curriculum directors, administrators, and teachers.The first five chapters focus on the district's role in curriculum creation, while the last three focus on the classroom teacher.Chapters 7 and 8 are valuable for new teachers who may be struggling with creating courses that are meaningful and that are of quality.

A nice book, but not worth reading.
I started reading this book thinking I was going to find a nice simple section on what kids should be taught and are taught these days. Instead I am bombarded by a number of sections that have nothing to do with the subject. On the other hand, it is a nice book if you want to spend your already wasted life reading some boring stuff. ... Read more

Book Description

A terrific reference for any industry, this book offers state-of-the-art problem solving insights and prescriptions for anyone trying to solve complex, real-world quality problems. This in-depth and comprehensive reference uses numerous case studies and examples to illustrate key concepts that enable you to easily understand the various kinds of problems and the various paths to resolution. The author classifies problems, explores how to solve them, and illustrates key concepts to help the reader think effectively about quality problems. Covering every type of quality problem from the fundamentals, to problem identification, to efficiency problems, to process design, this book provides the tools you'll need for whatever is thrown at you. ... Read more

Book Description

Improving Software Quality Do you want to cut development and maintenance cycle times by 500r more? Do you want to reduce costs by 500r more? Do you want to virtually eliminate software defects and related reliability problems? Do you want to get out from under the burden of your existing software? Then, you need this book—an insider’s guide to Total Quality Management. Improving Software Quality tells you how to apply Total Quality Management (TQM) to software development and evolution. You’ll find out how to translate the manufacturing orientation of existing TQM material into a software environment with extensive examples for both development and maintenance. Using the Software Engineering Institute’s assessment (SEI), you’ll learn how to quickly benchmark your existing software organization against the best in the world and begin to implement proven action plans to establish a baseline of excellence. ... Read more

Book Description

The ISO 14000 EMS Audit Handbook is an innovative and cost-effective approach for the Environmental Management System (EMS) audit to ISO 14001. The Handbook presents comprehensive strategies for conducting all phases of the EMS audit, including effective assessment processes for determining improved environmental performance, commitment to prevention of pollution, and continuous improvement. The audit concepts, techniques, and methodologies presented meet and exceed the requirements set forth by national and international accreditation bodies for the training and certification of EMS auditors and lead auditors. ... Read more

Book Description

Baldrige Award Winning Quality - 12th Edition

How to Interpret the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence
Mark Graham Brown

Baldrige Award Winning Quality continues to be the definitive reference for interpreting the Baldrige criteria. Updated annually, this book provides you with the best understanding of these exhaustive criteria. Written by one of the best-known authorities on Baldrige, it is the most recognized reference in the field. This is the only book on the Baldrige criteria to detail, in simple and straightforward language, every category, examination item, and area to address. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Baldrige Smaldrige
There is no greater hoax than the TQM revolution. What it really is, is an excuse to fire people in failing organizations.

If you are reading this book, don't be worried for you are already in Elysium and you are already dead.

Excellent detailed guidance and insight.
Provides a detailed understanding of the criteria, shows how to write an application, and is a tool for assessing an organization and developing plans. Excellent guidance and insight. ... Read more

Book Description

Computer simulation modeling, the new force in business, allows managers to see the results of a process change before committing time and resources to it. The Simulation Modeling Toolkit is vital to understanding numerous applications of this important process. Its methods and techniques will help any reader reduce time and risk in developing new products and serving customers, and the CD-ROM insert enables the user to create and run simulations from start to finish. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

SimProcess LIVE! on this book
I used to use ModSim by CACI on NeXT machine. Now CACI have the easier and PC-compatible, called SimProcess. This book is not only about Simulation sytem, but the great SimProcess user manual. This book is actually a geneal book of Simulation, not a Risk analysis or elses. CD-ROM, come with this book, is the SimProcess. Buy one get another free. But the software can be downloaded from the company website. ... Read more

Book Description

As it becomes increasingly easy to copy technology, companies are faced with finding new methods or "tools" that can increase the human side of creativity and innovation. Brainstorming and story boarding are probably the most popular creative thinking techniques in the workplace, however, they are actually the weakest methods available. While the most well-known techniques are helpful in setting an environment that supports creative thinking, they do not explicitly guide thoughts in creative directions. Creativity, Innovation and Quality presents the latest thinking on creativity and innovation, and shows how creative thinking can be used to advance the practice of quality management. Covering both the theory and applications of creative thinking in quality management, Creativity, Innovation and Quality enables the reader to: Understand how recent advances in cognitive science can unlock the creative potential in everyone; Recognize the underlying theory behind various tools of creative thinking; Use creative thinking techniques to stimulate innovation in the practices of quality management. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Superb
I'm the author of Thinkertoys (A Handbook of Business Creativity) and Cracking Creativity (The Secrets of Creative Genius). I, generally read, every book about creative thinking on the market. This book is superb and is one of the most comprehensive on the market. I highly recommend it.

At last! Creatvity is approachable to "left brainers"
Many books on the subject of creativity are loaded with exercises that may feel silly to most folks. Rather than have readers stand on their heads or play odd word games, Plsek's approach to creativity is logical and scientifically founded. In addition to being a great approach to the theory and practice of generating creative ideas, the book also opens the door to learnings from cognitive sciences. Smart, illuminating and highly readable.

You will read this book many times
The book practically wholly covers subjects mentioned in the title such as they were developed in the Western countries, has good bibliography and well-written. Author use psychological-based approach that allows him to mix successfully different methods of creativity. Unfortunately, he is not very critical to the results (as well as many others in this field), so a reader could still doubt about effectiveness of proposed methods. Nevertheless it is a good book, I'd strongly recommend to read. Semyon D. Savransky, Ph. D. ... Read more

Book Description

Reorganize any project for improved efficiency and quality

Designed around numerous case studies, Customer-Driven Project Management, Second Editiondrives home the importance of front-end customer involvement for project managers and engineers alike. Authors Bruce T. Barkley and James Saylor have added six new chapters to this edition, focusing on Internet support systems, selling the project, and a model for e-business projects. This integrated approach to Custom-Driven Project Management (CDPM) explains the new enterprise project life cycle and gives you a wide range of effective tools for developing customer-driven teams. You learn how to:

* Use people involvement tools and techniques
* Recognize senior management’s role in project review
* Be aware of the full range of personal and professional issues
* Apply definition, selection, and analysis tools and techniques
*Work with project management and system development tools and techniques
* More ... Read more

Book Description

This is the third edition of one of world's most respected and successful books on branding. Written by an internationally acclaimed branding expert and author of From Brand Vision to Brand Evaluation, it has been comprehensively revised and updated with a raft of new cases and examples.

The book gives the professional and the student a deep understanding of the functioning and management of the modern brand and contains:

* Powerful analysis of new areas such as e-branding and e-marketing
* A completely new set of advertising and brand images to illustrate key points
* A powerful analysis of the key drivers of brand value

There can be no doubt that the power of brands in the international marketplace is still growing, and that Creating Powerful Brands, third edition, can explain both why and how they work.

* Comprehensive coverage of brand management
* Applications orientated, yet grounded on solid theory
* Frameworks organizing the principles of brand building ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Reviewed by International Corporate Branding Centre
Quick review : experienced practitioners and academics 2.5 stars - comes across as a student textbook, ideal for undergraduates or others looking for an up to date thorough introduction to the topic. However, it is doubtful if more advanced academics or already knowledgeable practitioners will appreciate the format or simple checklists given.

Full Review : This book's aim is to clarify the concept of brands, help plan for building powerful brands, and ensure a better return of investment.

Part one is a basic introduction to what brands and branding are, what different types there are, how brands have developed and why they are important.

Part two looks at effective brand management for consumer, business to business, service and retailer brands. It covers issues such as how consumers make choices and how these can be influenced, psychological and social aspects of consumer brads, and how consumers use brands for communication. The section on business to business brands cover how organisations buy brands and how this market is different to the consumer market. The section on service brands covers case studies from the financial and insurance markets, the differences between goods and services marketing, the roles of employees and customers in the delivery of service brands, and how these roles can be designed to strengthen service brands.

The authors argue that what is needed for the marketing of services is a fine-tuning of the existing branding theories and not a completely new theory.

Part two finishes off with a look at the growing power of retailers, who are increasingly producing good quality own brands.

Part three of the book is called 'Winning the brands battle' and it looks at ways of positioning and sustaining brands and brand added values, and how to fight off competitors. It also looks at brand planning. The authors argue that it is important to recognise and communicate core values, and keep them consistent.

The last chapter of the book looks at brand equity - how the health of a brand can be measured.

The Chartered Institute of Marketing produces books for students and practitioners, and this book does come across as a student textbook. It is a very well written textbook, ideal for undergraduates or others looking for an up to date thorough introduction to the topic. However, it is doubtful if more advanced academics or already knowledgeable practitioners will appreciate the format, with key arguments and definitions already noted in the margins, basic discussion about what marketing and brands are, frequent summaries and outlines of the conclusions.

Each chapter has a 'Marketing action checklist' at the end, which contains suggestions for organisations. However, even these look a bit like exam questions or tutorial exercises. For example, the checklist for chapter two suggests that you should 'Write down what you understand by the term 'brand' and compare your views with those of your colleagues.

On a minor point, non-UK readers may be unfamiliar with some of the companies mentioned in passing, for example Sainsbury and Hovis.

This book is of a different nature than Kunde's Corporate religion (see review at this site), which is more practitioner orientated and inspirational.

Creating Powerful Brands covers the basic concepts of branding, and for someone who is trying to improve his/her company's branding strategy the center would recommend them to read de Chernatony's and McDonald's book first in order to brush up on any weak areas of knowledge, and then Kunde's book as inspiration and motivation.

bible for branding
iam a marketing executive currently passed out of the b school.iam feeling sorry for not coming across this book in my school.excellent book.starts with a saying for the need of a brand and how a product is perceived as brands by customer quoting the famous pepsi and coke fight on customers mindshare, the blind test and all.this book not only says about the branding of the products but also branding of the various services and also how to do the branding for business to business transaction also.the author clearly mentions the straegies for the dealer outlets ,retail shops and also says in what way these branding can be converted to make profits.lot of advertisements also reprinted for explaining the role of advertising in building the brands.reference they have mentioned is extremely good.all the brand management experts names are mentioned. a good book for all students ,beginners and practitioners of branding. ... Read more

Book Description

How can insurance providers boost their image and increase business? Hedy and Les Abromovitz's Insuring Quality takes a hard look at the insurance industry and suggests innovative new ways of improving customer satisfaction, turbo-charging sales and polishing the tarnished image of the industry. The insurance industry has an image problem. From Woody Allen movies to greeting cards, insurance agents are ridiculed as boring, overbearing pests out to make a quick buck at someone's expense. Recent criminal investigations into some of the nation's largest insurance providers have only made the situation worse. And that's bad news for insurance professionals - for more than any other business, the insurance industry is built on trust. This book was written by insurance professionals for insurance professionals - so every example in the book is based on a real-life situation. There's no ivory tower philosophizing or impenetrable jargon; just practical advice from two veterans who have examined the true relationship between quality, ethics, and customer service. As the authors say, "Insuring Quality will help your organization solve real-life problems. It's for the people in the trenches..." ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Look out, a humorous, realistic, easy read on insurance
At first, I thought this book was for company employees only to find out how to put "quality" into insurance, but I was pleasantly surprised that as an insurance professional myself, I learned a great deal about the importance of quality and ethics in this industry. The authors inject some amusing anecdotes, and make you think in different terms about insurance, and how important customer service is. Read it...you'll learn and laugh at the same time. ... Read more

Book Description

Total Organizational Excellence: Achieving world-class performance sets down an implementation framework to guide managers on how to improve business performance in all types of organization.



Drawing on extensive research and case study work conducted within Oakland Consulting and its Research Division, the European Centre for Business Excellence, it shows how to set clear direction and fulfil desired goals through key business and people development processes and regular performance measurement. These are the secrets of successful strategy deployment and change management.

Tested amongst practitioners at a series of conferences
Written by John Oakland, the best-selling author of 'Total Quality Management', in his usual down-to-earth practical style
Suitable for MBA students as well as practising managers ... Read more

Book Description

The ISO 14000 quality system allows today's executives and managers to comply with hundreds of EPA statutes and over 10,000 regulations. ISO 14000 Implementation Simplified uses self-tests, exercises, and more to help the reader understand and implement ISO 14000 in any organization. Complex methodologies are presented in a practical manner that is easy to understand and illuminating to use. ... Read more

Book Description

QMS Conversion: A Process Approach assists organizations in converting their existing quality management systems of documentation into systems of managed processes that deliver business benefits.

The 2000 version of ISO 9000 requires a different approach to be taken towards the achievement of quality, an approach that delivers customer satisfaction not simply compliance with documented procedures. By using a process approach to the development of a management system, the significant time and expense invested should be utilized in a way that will help an organization achieve real business benefits through the application of ISO 9000: 2000. The real value of the process approach is its focus on results thereby eliminating activities and procedures that do not add value in the organization's quest to satisfy its customers and other interested parties.


Written in a straightforward, non-technical manner, the approach is easily understood and followed by managers or engineers at any level. It allows readers to focus on results rather than functions, activities, procedures or standards. Applying this methodology to the management of quality will give you a distinctive competitive edge over the companies that end the certification process once the requirements have been met.

With this book, the reader will be able to:
ú Recognize the difference between conformance to standard and system performance
ú Distinguish between procedures and processes and understand what makes the two fundamentally different from one another
ú Understand the large gap that exists between a procedural approach and a process approach
ú Comprehend the importance and power of the eight quality management principles
ú Understand the steps to be taken to convert element-based systems to process-based systems and identify the factors that affect success in the conversion process
ú Construct a model of the business that identifies the key processes and their interfaces
ú Establish performance indicators and measurements for each process and produce process flow charts that link together to form a coherent system description
ú Understand the steps to take to construct a system that fulfills the design criteria
ú Determine whether the conversion has been successful and identify where further improvement is required

Each chapter is structured with a set of learning outcomes that can be accomplished by covering its contents. The chapters follow the sequence of the conversion process and each addresses the change in direction brought about by the ISO 9000: 2000 family of standards.

Achieve real business benefits with ISO 9000:2000Focus on resultsProvides process modeling and analysis techniques ... Read more

Book Description

If your goal is 100 percent zero defects, here is the book foryou - a completely illustrated guide to poka-yoke (mistake-proofing)for supervisors and shop-floor workers. Many poka-yoke devices comefrom line workers and are implemented with the help of engineeringstaff. The result is better product quality - and greater participationby workers in efforts to improve your processes, your products, andyour company as a whole. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Poka Yoke is Not Magic, just a whole bunch of common sense
I am an engineer and this book provides and excellent source of eary to read pictures and case studies. This is a must have for anyone who must take care of the details of Lean, or JIT.

Process improvements for goof-proofing assy and fabrication
This books provides extensive examples of jigs, fixtures and procedures to prevent errors during assy and fab of parts and subassemblies. The simplicity of the solutions is quite amazing. This is not a theoretical, academic discussion. The best part of the book, comprising 240 pages, are real world examples. Each case is presented with a problem statement and sketches of the before and after conditions. Be aware that the vast majority of discussion is towards PROCESS changes, not DESIGN changes. This is where I have some disappointment, as I am involved in design features for quality improvements (DFX). Several of the examples show issues that SHOULD have been addressed in the design and never have reached the factory. In my opinion a clever fixture is second choice to a design that eliminates the need. To that end, a classic example of a design change is given on p171. Process fixes such as the majority of the ideas presented in this book are nonetheless valuable and should be considered as "thought generators" to inspire factory personnel at all levels to look for opportunities for simple, low cost and effective solutions to current problems. This book will not sit unused on a shelf! ... Read more

Reviews (40)

Good Orientation but....
As an Industrial Engineer I already knew many if not all of the ideas behind the "Six Sigma Strategy". These gentleman have found a way to package the IE focus into a neat little package. UNfortunatly it lacks depth. The book was a good read as an intro to the Black Belt training I had, but it does not offer any substance for those of you looking to apply any of the concepts. This book only talks on a high level about them. It acts as more of a sales pitch at best for the ideas behind six sigma. It is probably worth it but the if you are looking at trying to improve your business processes and look for solutions you would be better off hiring an Industrial Engineering Consultant. If you were to ask my opinion of a better book to read I would STRINGLY recommmend "The Goal" or "Critical Chain" both by Eliyahu M. Goldratt. His books offer a more realistic approach at solving these issues. As info Six Sigma has been a failure in our company many of which is blamed by the fact that the program requires a total commitment by upper(many companies don't have the Jack Welch type leadership)

Don't Waste Your Time
This is a poorly written 300 page piece of marketing fluff for the Six Sigma Academy consulting group. Either save your time by skipping the book and contacting the consultants directly or find a different book if you really want to learn about six sigma

Six Sigma and the Industrial Engineer
The book gives a good general overview of the Six Sigma system. It offers little real ability to do projects UNLESS you are an industrial engineer (IE), in which case it gives you a concrete case to sell your solutions to management. Six Sigma appears to be a buzz word for PART of an indutrial engineers repitoire of skills. ...

A Six Sigma Overview
Six Sigma superficially is an excellent concept and this book serves the reader well in providing a detailed description of the concept. Early chapters take the reader on a journey through various companies providing an education on the importance of benchmarking, measuring defect rates, implementation strategies, and measuring six sigma performance. When the book begins to focus on implementation and deployment in later chapters the paint strokes begin to get very broad. The ideas provided to the reader are oversimplified and basic. For example, "Companies that improve their ability to consistently meet their customer's needs will produce positive bottom-line results." Really? I believe that the 1% of managers that are unware of this concept are not reading this book. The inability of this book to lay out a detailed plan for implementation results from the fact that each business is significantly different. If after reading this book the six sigma concept is appealing one could consider employing a consultant or creating a team for implementation. In my opinion the book also applies more to businesses with easily measurable performance such as manufacturing products as opposed to service providing businesses. Although customer satisfaction can be measured it is much easier to note an increase in monthly unit production. In summary six sigma is a difficult concept to initiate without the full commitment of your management team but the individual businessman will gain some valuable managerial skills through the book's good advice.

Old wine in a new bottle
As a person with exposure to Software Engineering Institute's Capability Maturity Model, I can say with conviction that the authors of this book have tried to sell the concept of Six-sigma the way corporate chieftains want to hear. i.e increase in bottom-line.

The book gives a good, superficial account of what is Six-Sigma with reference to implementations in Motorola, General Electric and Allied Signal.

While CMM is specific to software development process improvements (off-late its branching into HR aspects as well) six-sigma addressess other industries as well.

This book is a marketing tool kit for the authors' consulting practice.

I know of people who have gone through six-sigma certification process and have heard of people in GE commenting about its ineffectiveness.

Let me provide an analogy here and you will understand better.
Unless you the have the will-power to quit smoking, no amount of patch intakes will help you do that, right? Same case here...unless there's a management commitment and will-power to drive for process improvements (any model) success is hard to come by.

GE (If I recollect rightly) infact, made it mandatory to go through Six-sigma training for its employees to be promoted to a certain level higher-up.

Only such management commitment would help in process improvements (through any quality model)

I am sure many of you would be familiar with concepts and ideas of Six-Sigma. There's no doubt about it. Its plain common-sense.

In today's world, there are many industries that are head and shoulders above Six Sigma.

At the worst case, Six-sigma may be suitable for software companies whose quality practices are not something to write home about. But even then software companies have CMM. Why choose six-sigma which is more complex and expensive?

There are simpler and cost-effective techniques for smaller and medium sized companies in any industry. Such techniques evolve over a period of time with experience.

Nevertheless, this book is a good reading material that will throw lots of corporate jargons.

But please don't be misled by those jargons. ... Read more