Thomas Pyzdek

This book is ridiculous. Its gist is that you should minimize mistakes and if you have any, use the scientific method to figure out how they were made. Further, use the scientific method to find ways to be more efficient.

The author makes the argument that mistakes should be made no more than one mistake per thousand or million. However, he focuses on computerized information technology as his examples. Yes, banks make few mistakes, but it is because they are working with information in a show more computer system, not in a manufacturing environment. As far as I see it, this is hyperbolic myopic thinking that takes a specialized situation and attempts to map it onto all sectors of industry. It's apparent why companies adopt the practices, because the pie in the sky perspective in the book speaks to the goal of any executive. However, the theories in the book are idealized and ignore the reality that people are human and machines break down. Not everything is information and not everything can, or should, be automated. show less

This book fails to live up to the excitement implied by its title.

Someone's gotta like it! :)

The definitive guide to organizational excellence--completely updated

Fully revised for the latest American Society for Quality (ASQ) Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/QE) Body of Knowledge, The Handbook for Quality Management: A Complete Guide to Operational Excellence, Second Edition offers in-depth guidance on effectively applying the principles of quality management in today's business environment and delivering superior results. Designed to help you prepare for show more and pass the ASQ CMQ/QE exam, this authoritative volume also serves as an essential on-the-job reference.

Coverage includes:

Business-integrated quality systems
Organizational structures
The quality function
Approaches to quality
Customer-focused organizations
Integrated planning
Strategic planning
Understanding customer expectations and needs
Benchmarking
Organizational assessment
Process control
Quantifying process variation
Quality audits
Supply chain management
Continuous improvement
Effective change management
Six Sigma methodology, including detailed descriptions of the DMAIC and DMADV approaches
Management of human resources
Motivation theories and principles
Management styles
Resource requirements to manage the quality function
Over the past 40 years, the quality management discipline has undergone steady evolution from disparate quality assurance efforts to strategic, business-integrated functions. Today's quality manager must be able to plan and implement measurable, cost-effective process-improvement initiatives across the organization.

Written by two of the foremost authorities on the subject and fully updated for the latest American Society for Quality (ASQ) Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE) Body of Knowledge, The Handbook for Quality Management, Second Edition provides an operational guide to the proper understanding and application of quality management in the current business environment. It serves as a primary reference source for an organization's quality program and for anyone seeking to pass the CMQ/OE exam, given by the ASQ.

The Handbook for Quality Management: A Complete Guide to Operational Excellence, Second Edition:

Clearly defines quality management principles and their application within a cross section of industries
Integrates the application of Theory of Constraints, Six Sigma, and Lean thinking into the Quality Management discipline
Contains detailed methods for planning, including customer needs recognition, benchmarking, and organizational assessments
Discusses controls such as statistical process control, audits, and supply chain management
Explains the stages of continuous improvement
Incorporates classic motivation theory with more current management practices advocated by Joiner, Senge, and Deming, among others show less