Profound Knowledge Products, Inc. News Quarterly
Volume 1, Issue 1
For aficionados of improvement science...
| 2nd edition of The Improvement Guide now at Amazon! SWQN Conference in October, 2009 with special guest, Dr. Michael Maccoby. He will lead a pre-conference workshop on October 26th. SDI Workshop API Corner Special Guest Contributor, David Wayne "Six Sigma, Through the Lens of Dr. Deming's Philosophy and the Science of Improvement" PKP converts to new e-learning paltform. |
This new edition of this
bestselling guide offers an
integrated approach to
process improvement that
delivers quick and substantial
results in quality and
productivity in diverse settings.
The authors explore their
Model for Improvement that
worked with international
improvement efforts at
multinational companies as
well as in different industries
such as healthcare and public
agencies. This edition includes
new information that shows
how to accelerate
improvement by spreading
changes across multiple sites.
The book presents a practical
tool kit of ideas, examples, and
applications.
Here are several short reviews
of this edition:
"This book is a major milestone
in our understanding of the
science of improvement. It is
destined to be a classic in the
field. It offers leaders not only
a comprehensive framework,
but also dozens of useful
specific suggestions for
achieving new levels of quality
and productivity." (Donald M.
Berwick, Institute of Healthcare
Improvement and author of
Curing Health Care)
bestselling guide offers an
integrated approach to
process improvement that
delivers quick and substantial
results in quality and
productivity in diverse settings.
The authors explore their
Model for Improvement that
worked with international
improvement efforts at
multinational companies as
well as in different industries
such as healthcare and public
agencies. This edition includes
new information that shows
how to accelerate
improvement by spreading
changes across multiple sites.
The book presents a practical
tool kit of ideas, examples, and
applications.
Here are several short reviews
of this edition:
"This book is a major milestone
in our understanding of the
science of improvement. It is
destined to be a classic in the
field. It offers leaders not only
a comprehensive framework,
but also dozens of useful
specific suggestions for
achieving new levels of quality
and productivity." (Donald M.
Berwick, Institute of Healthcare
Improvement and author of
Curing Health Care)
"The Improvement Guide is a
rare jewel of a book packed
with powerful ideas and
knowledge; it should be
required reading for every
student and should be on
every corporate bookshelf.
This book fills a major void in
the Quality literature by
combining fresh insights,
practical guidelines, and
compelling examples on
improvement in a captivating
and easy-to-understand
manner." (Paddy Meskell,
senior vice president of human
resources, Silver Diner
Development, Inc.)
"The Improvement Guide
provides a proven framework
for quality as business
strategy by linking
improvement to methods of
managing change. It clearly
will assist leaders in making
permanent improvements."
(Robert Tusch, manager,
Quality Development and
Organizational Effectiveness,
Exxon Chemical Company).
rare jewel of a book packed
with powerful ideas and
knowledge; it should be
required reading for every
student and should be on
every corporate bookshelf.
This book fills a major void in
the Quality literature by
combining fresh insights,
practical guidelines, and
compelling examples on
improvement in a captivating
and easy-to-understand
manner." (Paddy Meskell,
senior vice president of human
resources, Silver Diner
Development, Inc.)
"The Improvement Guide
provides a proven framework
for quality as business
strategy by linking
improvement to methods of
managing change. It clearly
will assist leaders in making
permanent improvements."
(Robert Tusch, manager,
Quality Development and
Organizational Effectiveness,
Exxon Chemical Company).
2nd Edition of Improvement Guide available at Amazon
Quick Links...
Inside this issue...
What's new in the 2nd edition of the IG?
One of the author's of the IG, Tom Nolan, describes several
key improvements to the new edition.
The 2nd edition of the Improvement Guide improves on the
first edition in four ways:
key improvements to the new edition.
The 2nd edition of the Improvement Guide improves on the
first edition in four ways:
- Incremental improvement of the basics contained in the
first edition. These improvements include clearer
exposition of concepts and more varied examples. - The second edition contains new material on ambitious
large system improvements. Chapter 11 Improving
Large or Complex Systems is a new chapter that
extends the basic process improvement methods to
more challenging improvement initiatives in systems
such a supply chain, a world-wide launch of a new
product, rationalization of discounts, or new product
development. Chapter 9 Spreading Improvements, also
a new chapter, addresses the task of spreading an
improvement made in one location to other locations
performing the same function. The world-wide packaging
and procurement projects fit this situation as does
spreading improved sales techniques from one region or
one country to another. - Part III of the book is entitled Improving Value as a
Business Strategy. This part is concerned with making
improvement a key component of the strategy of a
business unit, a location or a department. Chapter 13
provides guidance to executives and managers on how
to imbed process and system improvement in their
business strategy. Chapter 14 provides an approach to
building improvement capability within a business or
location. - Two new appendices have been added. Appendix A
contains the list of change concepts included in edition 1
with only slight modifications. Appendix B has been
added and contains tools and methods to support
improvement. This was added to provide material for
those doing basic process improvement training for
managers, supervisors or hourly workers. One company
has used the Improvement Model: aims, measures,
changes and PDSA for many years. However, this is only
one of several frameworks, for example, six sigma and
lean that can be used to guide process improvement.
Appendix C has been added to describe other
frameworks and evaluate the strengths, weaknesses,
and applications of each.
2nd Quarter- 2009