Systematic process improvement using ISO 9001:2000 and CMMI

2.3 Typical process improvement approaches 21
6. Confirm improvements. Periodically, the PEG measures and monitors
process improvement progress, reports progress to the management
committee, and institutes corrective actions as required. It reevaluates
risks and devises mitigation actions to move the process
improvement project toward its goal.
7. Sustain improvement gains. The PEG helps sustain process improvement
gains and ensures that the organization does not revert to its
previous state. The PEG supports transition of improvements to other
projects and monitors its implementation.
8. Monitor performance. Process improvement requires a long-term commitment.
It is not unusual for organizational goals to change over
time, requiring changes in the process improvement goals. By measuring
process improvement progress, senior management can redirect
process improvement activities to best suit the current situation.
ISO TR 15504 also recognizes the importance of cultural issues and management
leadership to the success of the process improvement effort and
provides guidelines specifically for those issues. Guidelines for establishing
effective communication and teamwork within the organization are also
provided, including the following:
• The need to establish a set of values;
• Attitudes and behavior;
• The need for a recognition and reward system;
• Measurement;
• Education and training requirements.
2.3.3 IDEAL SM
In the early 1990s, when many organizations started process improvement
efforts, there were no guidelines for initiating and executing the work.
Although the CMM ® for software and a compatible appraisal method existed,
organizations were left to themselves to determine the most efficient way
to implement process improvements. The CMM ® itself, by virtue of its five
maturity levels, contains a global high-level process improvement strategy.
However, guidance is still required to achieve effective and efficient process
institutionalization from the tactical point of view.