This book presents an organized approach to quality management, control, and improvement. Because quality problems usually are the outcome of uncontrolled or excessive variability, statistical tools and other analytical methods play an important role in solving these problems. However, these techniques need to be implemented within a management structure that will ensure success. This text focuses on both the management structure and the statistical and analytical tools. It organizes and presents this material according to many years of teaching, research, and professional practice across a wide range of business and industrial settings.
Quality is a discipline that focuses on product and service excellence. This book is about improving the quality of products and services. The improved quality and reliability lead to higher perceived value and increased market share for a company, thereby increasing revenue and profitability. The book discusses the concepts and dimensions of quality, costs of poor quality, the importance of quality in this highly competitive global economy, and quality programs-Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma that focus on improving quality in industries. The text integrates quality concepts, statistical methods, and one of the major tools of quality-Statistical Process Control (SPC)-a major part of Six Sigma control phase. A significant part of the book is devoted to process control and the tools of SPC-control charts-used for monitoring, controlling, and improving the processes by identifying the causes of process variation. The fundamentals of control charts, along with SPC techniques for variables and attributes, and process capability analysis and their computer applications are discussed in detail. This book fills a gap in this area by showing the readers comprehensive and step-wise solutions to model and solve quality problems using computers.
What makes information useful? This seemingly simple and yet intriguing and complicated question is discussed in this book. It examines ways in which the quality of information can be improved in knowledge-intensive processes (such as on-line communication, strategy, product development, or consulting). Based on existing information quality literature, the book proposes a conceptual framework to manage information quality for knowledge-based content. It presents four proven principles to apply the framework to a variety of information products. Five in-depth company case studies show how information quality can be managed systematically. The book uses frequent diagrams and tables, as well as diagnostic questions and summary boxes to make its content actionable.
Understanding quality management through a unifying framework. Managing Quality is a comprehensive introduction to the field of quality management that presents a supply chain theme as the unifying framework for quality improvement. This edition of the text has been updated with many changes to highlight cutting-edge, quality topics.
An essential quality management resource for students and practitioners alike—now in its sixth edition This popular and highly successful text on Quality Management has been fully revised and updated to reflect recent developments in the field. New to the Sixth Edition is timely coverage of agile development, emerging markets, product research, evidence based decision-making, and quality control. Some of the material has been re-ordered and changes to terminology have been made to bring the book completely up to date. Contributions from new co-author David Bamford offer insights from a veteran teacher and practitioner. A popular resource for students, academics, and business practitioners alike Combines the latest information on quality management system series standards with up-to-date tools, techniques and quality systems Includes insights on quality, operations management, and strategic process improvement Highly relevant for professionals, particularly those involved with reacting to rapid developments in the global market The word "quality" has many definitions, dependent on context and situation. It is often over-used but always in-demand, and it can make or break a business. Quality management is becoming an increasingly vital factor in the success of a product or service, and it requires constant attention and a continuous drive to do better. Managing Quality is a comprehensive resource that helps you ensure – and sustain – high quality standards.
Provide a description about the book that does not include any references to package elements. This description will provide a description where the core, text-only product or an eBook is sold. Please remember to fill out the variations section on the PMI with the book only information. Important Notice: Media content referenced within the product description or the product text may not be available in the ebook version.
This fifth edition provides a comprehensive resource for project managers. It describes the latest project management systems that use critical path methods.
Even today with quality improvement the battle cry of American industry, the quality programs in most companies are limited to "conformance to technical standards," according to quality expert Bradley Gale. While some have ventured a step farther to measure customer satisfaction, few of them, Gale demonstrates, have attempted to track market-perceived "quality" -- how buyers select among competing suppliers, why orders are won or lost, and which competitors are succeeding in which market segments. Using cases including Milliken & Company; AT&T, United Van Lines, and Gillette, Gale shows how leading-edge companies have gone beyond the minimal achievements of conformance quality and customer satisfaction to focus on the third, higher stage, "market-perceived quality versus competitors" and aspire to an emerging fourth stage, "true strategic management." Drawing on his extensive research at AT&T, Johnson & Johnson, Parke-Davis, and other world-class companies, Gale provides new metrics for market-perceived quality that are straightforward and easy to interpret. His set of seven integrative tools for customer value analysis makes up the heart of the "war room wall" to help guide business-unit teams in their effort to outperform competitors in satisfying customers. The great value of these tools is that they are derived from a future-oriented strategic navigation system that tracks competitive information and market-perceived quality. Learning to master this system accelerates customer satisfaction from a slogan to a science and leads ultimately to true strategic management -- the fourth stage of Total Quality Management. The processes described in this book provide an insider's perspective on the criteria of the Baldrige Award. Bradley Gale's insights and innovative methods for defining, measuring, and improving market-perceived quality will create an entirely new thrust for the worldwide quality movement.
