Press Release
September 27, 2006
Process Improvement Essentials: Understanding and Implementing CMMI, ISO 9001, and Six Sigma
Sebastopol, CA--The fact that most companies can benefit from some kind of
process management focus became painfully apparent when the dot-com bubble
burst around 2000. The software industry seemed to be going haywire, with
the venture capital industry along for the ride. Hundreds of millions of
dollars were being pumped into the most superfluous of concepts, and
managers paid little attention to integrated design, team organization,
product requirements, and event the most basic of business school
management fundamentals.
"Today the industry is becoming wiser," observes James R. Persse, author of Process Improvement Essentials. "The fact that there is increased interest in ISO, CMMI, and Six Sigma is an indicator of that. This is a good trend, but it hasn't yet matured.
"Technology spending in the US is in the trillions of dollars. And
technology has become an inescapable and essential factor in business
success," Persse adds. "Programs like CMMI, ISO 9001, and Six Sigma help
technology shops control spending, delivery quality, and increase
operational efficiencies."
Process Improvement Essentials serves as an introduction and guide to
the three leading process improvement programs:
ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management Standard from the International
Standards Organization (ISO)
Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) from the Software
Engineering Institute
Six Sigma, a methodology for improvement shaped by companies such as
Motorola, Honeywell, and General Electric
"Many people come to me and ask, 'Of these three popular process
standards--CMMI, ISO 9001, and Six Sigma--which one might be right for
me?'" says Persse. "I wanted to write a book that gives people a quick
look at each of these three and then gives them the general process
improvement information that would let them see that all three can work
together to help a company achieve its process and quality goals."
The chief purpose of Process Improvement Essentials is to help people
who are new to the subject get a basic understanding of the purpose, aim,
and structure of this growing field and to help them understand how ISO
9000, CMMI, and Six Sigma relate to the industry and to one another. It's
also designed to help set beginners on the way to making an informed
decision should they wish to move into deeper exploration along more
specific lines.
Persse begins with a general look at the intent of process improvement. He
then provides concise descriptions of the three programs with comparisons
to help readers decide which one is right for them. Persse also offers
guidelines for establishing a process improvement program in an
organization with techniques for sustaining the value of process
improvement.
With more than twenty year's experience in management and process
improvement, Persse has implemented successful process improvement
programs across multi-industry discipline. Using straightforward language
and clear examples, he makes the subject accessible to all readers of his
book. "I think readers will appreciate the fact that process improvement
can be implemented in a 'light' way," he says. "It does not have to be
heavy or a special burden for any technology shop."
Advance Praise for Process Improvement Essentials:
"The book delivers the best message I have read on succeeding at software
process improvement. The material is well written and comprehensible. The
author does an excellent job of helping the reader navigate the concepts
and practices required to instill a successful program. A must read for
those serious about implementing a process improvement program."
-Richard L. Upchurch, Professor, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Additional Resources:
Process Improvement Essentials
James R. Persse
ISBN: 0-596-10217-8, 334 pages, $44.99 US, $58.99 CA
order@oreilly.com
1-800-998-9938; 1-707-827-7000
About O'Reilly
O'Reilly Media spreads the knowledge of innovators through its books, online services, magazines, and conferences. Since 1978, O'Reilly Media has been a chronicler and catalyst of cutting-edge development, homing in on the technology trends that really matter and spurring their adoption by amplifying "faint signals" from the alpha geeks who are creating the future. An active participant in the technology community, the company has a long history of advocacy, meme-making, and evangelism.
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