The Improvement Guide : A Practical Approach to Enhancing Organizational Performance

Improve quality and productivity in most any organization

Based on W. Edwards Deming's model, this guide offers an integrated approach to testing and improvement?one that is designed to deliver quick and substantial results. Using simple stories to illustrate core ideas, the authors?all active consultants?introduce a new, flexible model for improving quality and productivity in diverse settings. They draw from research conducted in a variety of areas?manufacturing, government, and schools?to present a practical tool kit of ideas, examples, and applications. What's more, they've included a Resource Guide to Change Concepts so even beginners can utilize the tested techniques of some of the world's most experienced practitioners.

GERALD J. LANGLEY is a consultant with Associates in Process Improvement, a national consulting firm. Gerald Langley has been a statistician and manager at Hewlett Packard Corporation and consultant to a variety of industries on methods of improvement. KEVIN M. NOLAN is a consultant with Associates in Process Improvement, a national consulting firm. Kevin Nolan, a statistician, has assisted manufacturing, service, and healthcare organizations in accelerating their improvement in quality and productivity. CLIFFORD L. NORMAN is a consultant with Associates in Process Improvement, a national consulting firm. Clifford Norman, a Certified Quality Engineer, has over fifteen years of experience in implementing the quality process in various companies. LLOYD P. PROVOST is a consultant with Associates in Process Improvement, a national consulting firm. His consulting experience as a statistician includes planning, management systems, measurement, data analysis, and other improvement methods. THOMAS W. NOLAN is a consultant with Associates in Process Improvement, a national consulting firm. Nolan, who holds a doctorate in statistics, has consulted on quality to many different industries in the United States, Canada, and Europe.