Systematic process improvement using ISO 9001:2000 and CMMI

98 Revised Frameworks: ISO 9001:2000 and the CMMI ®
Generic Goal GG 5: Institutionalize an Optimizing Process 6
The process is institutionalized as an optimizing process.
An optimizing process is a quantitatively managed process that is changed
and adapted to meet business objectives. To achieve this goal, both incremental
and innovative techniques are used. This process involves identifying and
removing the root causes of process variation in a measurable fashion based
on the quantitative understanding of the organization’s process improvement
objectives and their cost impact to the organization.
Generic Practice GP 5.1: Ensure Continuous Process Improvement
Ensure continuous improvement of the process in fulfilling the relevant
business objectives of the organization.
Why is this important
This generic practice focuses on continuous process improvement in relation
to business goals. To implement this practice, an organization must identify
process improvements that are expected to result in measurable and meaningful
improvements in process performance. In addition, the organization
should systematically implement processes and technology that will enable
meeting quality and performance objectives of the process.
Generic Practice GP 5.2: Correct Root Causes of Problems
Identify and correct the root causes of defects and other problems in the
process.
Why is this important
To identify and correct root causes of problems, the organization should
analyze defects and other detected problems and then prevent these defects
and problems from occurring again in the future. This generic practice is
closely related to the causal analysis and resolution PA.
4.2.6 Process Areas
This section describes the CMMI ® PAs and their interactions. We continue
to use the continuous representation as the presentation vehicle. The contin-
6. This goal exists only in the continuous representation.