Marc suggested that I make pieces of my new book ("The Continual Improvement Process: From Strategy to the Bottom Line," Paton Press, 2003) available to Cove regulars. This is a great idea. So, here is the first chapter of the book. The chapter is entitled Deciding What's Important. I've also attached the three appendices that go along with the chapter. This is only being provided to Elsmar Cove folks; feel free to use the chapter and appendices in your own work, but please do not distribute the materials further.
I will post additional chapters and tools from the book in the coming days. Please let me know what you think about what you read.
Craig
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Craig Cochran
Center for International Standards & Quality
Georgia Institute of Technology craig.cochran@edi.gatech.edu
Thank You to ccochran for your informative Post and/or Attachment!
Craig, there's some good advice in there - particularly for one of my clients who has waaaaaay too many quality objectives. Their president wants to "focus on everything" and consequently has postponed their management review twice because they don't have time to collect the data. I think with a little more persuasion (including some of the logic presented in your book) the management rep and I will be able to convince him to focus on just the key measures...
your generosity is great, and so should be your complete book. Of being generously fruitful in helping at the bottom
line.
I am personally interested to set in a process of continual improvement in teaching (especially in engineering institutions). I had sent a private message too thru' cove's facilities provided herein. Help! Here or anywhere!
A Search is a terrible thing to waste! One Test is Worth 1000 Expert Opinions - The plural of anecdote is not data.
We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them. - Unknown
I'm 75% through it and will finish it later. I like the style. Plain english...no attempt to impress with your mastery of the English language. You know me Craig. I have to have some fun. What possessed you to put Howard Atkins in charge of reducing inventory? And, I'm a great believer in digesting copious amounts of beluga caviar and bourbon while brainstorming! Your generousity in providing this practical glimpse for developing key measures is truly appreciated.
Firstly, after reading chapter I, I discovered that the majority of our measurables are correct and appropriate to our business. We do not have accounting (profit / loss) statements but do track over-run, nonconforming product, scrap, etc that all affect profit. Three years ago we did have a profit margin goal included in our measurables. It was useless information and we never hit our goal. So we took a close look at and determined what was most important to us. You brought to light more good points that I intent to share with management when we review and determine 2004 measurables in January. I look forward to reading the next chapter.
I would also like to say that the first Chapter was not filled with big "Quality" words that sounds good while you are reading and let you know that the author is educated but add no value to the reader or transfer ability. The first Chapter was not confusing and was arranged in a logical order and the transaction was smooth from subject to subject. Very easy to apply, relates to any company and within the 10th grade average reading level.
In case you did not know, that is the sign of a good writer. Well Done!
Marc suggested that I make pieces of my new book ("The Continual Improvement Process: From Strategy to the Bottom Line," Paton Press, 2003) available to Cove regulars. This is a great idea. So, here is the first chapter of the book. The chapter is entitled Deciding What's Important. I've also attached the three appendices that go along with the chapter. This is only being provided to Elsmar Cove folks; feel free to use the chapter and appendices in your own work, but please do not distribute the materials further.
I will post additional chapters and tools from the book in the coming days. Please let me know what you think about what you read.
Craig
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Craig Cochran
Center for International Standards & Quality
Georgia Institute of Technology craig.cochran@edi.gatech.edu
Craig:
What do I think about what I read?
Well, why don't you post a link to where we can buy it?
Append. 1B alone could very well be worth much more than the cost, IMHO.
Chapter 1 of book - Your opinions please
I think with a little more persuasion (including some of the logic presented in your book) the management rep and I will be able to convince him to focus on just the key measures...
And, I'm a great believer in digesting copious amounts of beluga caviar and bourbon while brainstorming! 
Your generousity in providing this practical glimpse for developing key measures is truly appreciated. 
Linear Mode
