Discusses a simple overview of systems and systems theory. Describes what a system is and does. Suggests seven principles to use when designing or evaluating a system including tips such as: organize to reduce complexity, do not over‐optimize the system, and leave details of managing...

This article addresses how an organization can combine sig‐sigma and the Internet to reduce costs, improve the delivery success rate, and increase service quality. The model that was developed to map the six‐sigma quality process against the software development life cycle was introduced. A...

Points out that we have accepted on faith many of our improvement tools without really understanding their impact on the performance of the organization. Challenges some of the basic principles on which total quality management was founded. Presents data from the International Quality Study...

Argues that winners of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the Deming Prize, and the European Quality Award are held up as models of how organizations should be managed. Unfortunately, what may be good for them can be disastrous for your organization. Bases this report on one of the...

Suggests that organizational improvement methodologies have a life cycle. This takes them through the stages of being the “in” thing to do, then into a decline because they are no longer exciting or have failed to produce results. Ultimately they are left being pursued by only a few...

Through the use of total quality management programmes, the industrialised western economies have made great strides in improving quality, reducing waste and increasing productivity. It was our hope that these improvements would recapture our market share, recreating the jobs we lost in the...

Performance evaluations (appraisals) have been blamed for everything from team destruction to personal demoralization. The problem is not the concept of performance evaluation but the way they have been implemented. This technical report provides a sound path to effect constructive appraisals.

Managers are people who accomplish tasks through others. For the twenty‐first century, managers should be defined as people who accomplish tasks through their effective use of processes and enablers. This paper defines what the new manager will look like in the twenty‐first century. It is...

Managers are people who accomplish tasks through others. For the twenty‐first century, managers should be defined as people who accomplish tasks through their effective use of processes and enablers. This paper defines what the new manager will look like in the twenty‐first century. It is...

Quality cost systems have evolved from a purely manufacturing defect related cost reporting system that reflected the limited quality thinking of the 1940s to a poor‐quality cost system that reflects the total process quality orientation of the 1990s. The new poor‐quality cost system...