As a career operations professional, many of my friends understand that I see process flows in nearly everything I encounter. Some friends find this entertaining, others find it a bit annoying. But mostly they allow me to exercise (not exorcise) my craft. You see, I was born of operational parents. I’m not sure if it was nature or nurture, but regardless I was tuned to “see, map and measure” as a young child in Iowa. The backdrop of my story today is one that many of you can relate. It starts with my Mom. She has generally enjoyed good health and an active lifestyle. But, after she…
Quality Assurance
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Most Topular Stories
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Wolfe Eye Clinic: A Healthcare Performance Chain Done Right
iSixSigma17 Jan 2012 | 10:00 am -
Embracing Errors Can Spark Innovation
ASQ Quality News Today3 Feb 2012 | 12:00 amIn my research, I ask world-record holders, entrepreneurs and leaders, “To what do you attribute your ability to perform well?” All answer in a way -
Communicate Change Throughout the Value Stream
iSixSigma25 Jan 2012 | 2:30 amI was recently asked, “What is the most efficient way to communicate change throughout the value stream?” What I am about to propose does not need to take the place of other methods to communicate change. Historically, email, newsletters, video or updating policies all have had their place. I have had good experiences using a multi-front approach because people learn or hear and retain information in different ways. What I have found to be most helpful, which can be used in addition to all of the classic communication methods, is a “one-pager” – an executive summary, or A3. -
Definition of a Calculated Risk
efficient quality management11 Jan 2012 | 6:08 pmHow to apply the Calculated Risk Release form: The Calculated Risk Release form (CRR) can be used to work around circumstances that cause a bottleneck, which is a tangible benefit to a Company that must meet scheduled events under controlled conditions. The CRR is a controlled method to circumvent “temporary” problems. It does not eliminate the problem but it does allow the process to continue on a calculated risk basis until the problem is “closed”. The CRR must display signature approval and must be made a part of the acceptance process to ensure that nothing is… -
How Much Sales Pitch Is Required In Project Manager
Quality Assurance and Project Management26 Jan 2012 | 12:07 pmSales department is the one that brings in the business for any organization. Most of the sales start with leads and cold calls which gradually transform into hot calls, though not all. Once customer show willingness towards product, sales team pushes the lead to techo-team so as to educate customer about the technical details of the product and overall cost impact on the solution desired by customer. After signing of the contract it is the project team that starts managing the customer. Once specs are defined, during project initiation phase, when customer requirements are studied and…
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ASQ Quality News Today
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Embracing Errors Can Spark Innovation
3 Feb 2012 | 12:00 amIn my research, I ask world-record holders, entrepreneurs and leaders, “To what do you attribute your ability to perform well?” All answer in a way -
Brand Perception Gaps Shrink Among Autos
3 Feb 2012 | 12:00 amThe difference perceived by American consumers between the top car brands and the challengers is shrinking, according to the findings of the 2012 Car-Brand Perception -
Residents Trash RFID-Enabled Garbage Cans
3 Feb 2012 | 12:00 amConcerns about potential “Big Brother” tactics prompted Tulsa's City Council to question Tuesday why radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are to be embedded in the -
GM Dealers Bend Rules to Fill Lots
3 Feb 2012 | 12:00 amGeneral Motors is cracking down on dealers it said are “gaming” its vehicle-ordering system to finagle more cars and trucks than they deserve—a problem that -
Judge Puts Brakes on Defiant Bus Company
3 Feb 2012 | 12:00 amA federal judge has ordered a Pennsylvania-based bus company to stop operations after a TV station in Albany, NY, reported that the bus line had
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iSixSigma
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Communicate Change Throughout the Value Stream
25 Jan 2012 | 2:30 amI was recently asked, “What is the most efficient way to communicate change throughout the value stream?” What I am about to propose does not need to take the place of other methods to communicate change. Historically, email, newsletters, video or updating policies all have had their place. I have had good experiences using a multi-front approach because people learn or hear and retain information in different ways. What I have found to be most helpful, which can be used in addition to all of the classic communication methods, is a “one-pager” – an executive summary, or A3. -
DMADV Case Study: Performance Management System Redesign
23 Jan 2012 | 2:01 amTo facilitate the development of its employees and better respond to the changing business environment, one department of a large financial-services company decided to revamp its existing performance management system through a Six Sigma project. A pre-project analysis revealed that a complete redesign of the system was required. As incremental improvement in the existing system was not possible, the project team followed the Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) DMADV (Define, Measure, Analyze, Design, Verify) roadmap, incorporating best practices from Six Sigma, project management and information… -
Wolfe Eye Clinic: A Healthcare Performance Chain Done Right
17 Jan 2012 | 10:00 amAs a career operations professional, many of my friends understand that I see process flows in nearly everything I encounter. Some friends find this entertaining, others find it a bit annoying. But mostly they allow me to exercise (not exorcise) my craft. You see, I was born of operational parents. I’m not sure if it was nature or nurture, but regardless I was tuned to “see, map and measure” as a young child in Iowa. The backdrop of my story today is one that many of you can relate. It starts with my Mom. She has generally enjoyed good health and an active lifestyle. But, after she… -
How to Improve Project Cycle Time
16 Jan 2012 | 2:01 amA common metric many organizations use to assess the performance of their Lean Six Sigma program is project cycle time – the total time from the beginning to the end of a process improvement project, including total process time and all delays. If your organization’s project cycle time is running higher than your targeted rate, then it is time for you, as a Lean Six Sigma professional, to take a look in the mirror and improve your capability to execute projects in a timely fashion. A myriad of factors may contribute to the cycle time of a project. Short of launching an actual Six Sigma… -
Learn to Use Your iSixSigma Profile
9 Jan 2012 | 10:14 amMichael Cyger is on a roll with videos about the new iSixSigma.com – he’s posted a new one on how to use your iSixSigma profile. If you have any questions about how to upload your avatar (I needed help with the cropping feature), learn what’s contributing to your reputation, add your bio and more, this is the video for you. Check it out here. Thanks, Mike!
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efficient quality management
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Definition of a Calculated Risk
11 Jan 2012 | 6:08 pmHow to apply the Calculated Risk Release form: The Calculated Risk Release form (CRR) can be used to work around circumstances that cause a bottleneck, which is a tangible benefit to a Company that must meet scheduled events under controlled conditions. The CRR is a controlled method to circumvent “temporary” problems. It does not eliminate the problem but it does allow the process to continue on a calculated risk basis until the problem is “closed”. The CRR must display signature approval and must be made a part of the acceptance process to ensure that nothing is… -
Support for Corrective Action Request
21 Dec 2011 | 5:53 pmCorrective Action Request from one of our Customers in Reading, PA: Hello, Please find attached our QAR’s Corrective Action Request. We are under a lot of pressure to correct the problems and hope you can help us document a solution. Sincerely, Fred H. Owner Customer Findings: Defects: Major characteristic 103 on drawing. Three pieces out of 200, the GO thread gauge fails to pass through. Pitch parameter out of tolerance. Major characteristic 106 on drawing. Dimension Diameter 0.062 +.002 -.000 oversized on 2 of 200 samples. NO-GO gage goes through the holes. Total of five different… -
Eight Steps to Compliance
18 Dec 2011 | 4:56 pmSenior Pilot for National Helicopters Ltd out of Australia looking for Operations Solution: Dear Sir, We are a small helicopter business in Australia and are looking for a quality management system that is easy to maintain and won’t be too costly. We don’t have a lot of time to develop a QMS and would rather apply something that is ready to use and easy to manage yet compliant with ISO 9001. Can you help? Our Response: Hello, Thank you for your interest in our products. We were faced with the same business problem and found a way to take the complexity and cost out of compliance… -
Compliance with Customer Flowdown
14 Aug 2011 | 2:36 pmCustomer Support Email Threads: Subject: Compliance with SIP-016 Hi, We need to comply with Lockheed Martin’s flowdown SIP-016. Attached is the SIP-016 for your review and input. Can you help? Kindest Regards, Quality Control Manager Grantsville, MD Our Response: Hello, Nice to teleconference with you about your Lockheed Martin project and thanks for your interest in our products and services. I see that the Standard Quality System in Appendix A is a lot more than MIL-I-45208; in fact, we need to add quite a few more procedures to the MIL-I kit to make it compliant with SIP 016. What we… -
Questions from one of our Pre-Customers
13 Aug 2011 | 1:02 pmGeneral Manager out of Australia seeking solution to their quality management issue: Hi, Our business would like to move toward a basic, manageable quality system. Our business is an Engineering company that designs industrial equipment, drafts drawings and then issues these drawings to third party manufacturers (local and overseas) to build and supply the product to us. We then support the installation of the product on site (typically by supplying an engineer, as opposed to the whole commissioning team). Our Company manufactures one off items, usually never the same machine twice;…
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Quality Assurance and Project Management
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How Much Sales Pitch Is Required In Project Manager
26 Jan 2012 | 12:07 pmSales department is the one that brings in the business for any organization. Most of the sales start with leads and cold calls which gradually transform into hot calls, though not all. Once customer show willingness towards product, sales team pushes the lead to techo-team so as to educate customer about the technical details of the product and overall cost impact on the solution desired by customer. After signing of the contract it is the project team that starts managing the customer. Once specs are defined, during project initiation phase, when customer requirements are studied and… -
Five Deadly Sins Of PMO
24 Jan 2012 | 11:32 amPMO comprises of the core members of project management responsible to drive project in right direction under all kind of opposing situations. It is responsibility of PMO to ensure that project has to meet all milestones in project timeframe so as to reach to its final destination of success. Any risks arising during project lifecycle need to be understood well in advance by PMO with an immediate course of action to mitigate those risks so that the project does not deviate from its path of success. Still there are many mistakes done by PMO that lead a project in wrong directions resulting… -
Do You Make Your Apple Tree Project Bear Poisonous Fruits
24 Jan 2012 | 11:18 amWe all are human beings. Projects are made to be driven not only by human beings but it implies to all living world. Project comprise of deadlines, targets, follow-ups, meetings, team creation, team management, and so on. An apple plant has a target to bear apples when it grows into a tree. How does it know that it has to bear apples and not some other fruit? What drives an apple tree to bear apples is an amazing topic to introspect. The same water, air, sunlight and other natural ingredients that go into a weed plant go into a plant borne to bear fruits. Is it bound of any compulsions of… -
Five Ways to Ensure Project Failure
22 Jan 2012 | 11:17 amThere are ways to make a project successful and more number of ways to find out excuses for failures. There is no project that does not encompass of showstoppers, critical or serious issues. Most of the senior team members are always prepared to come across any unwanted or untoward issues arising of a project and finding out suitable measures to overcome them. The top most priority of core project team is to take care of such untoward incidents and ensure a proper mitigation of such risks. There are ways to ensure a project go fail and gradually you can get accustomed to it where no extra… -
What Is The Carbon Footprint Of Your Project
21 Jan 2012 | 12:14 pmProject execution comprises of various efforts done by team members. This becomes a pool of energy moving in the direction of making a project successful. More collated form of energies generates higher chances of success of their efforts. Right form of energy in right direction at right moment of time with right level of thrust returns higher chances of success in its goals. Logical right mix of team member leads to timely completion of project tasks. An individual, a team, a project; all have their specific carbon footprint. What factors would mainly contribute in determination of carbon…
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Software Quality Assurance Zone
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Coverity and Wind River Partners in Security Testing
25 Jan 2012 | 6:14 amSAN FRANCISCO AND ALAMEDA, Calif. - January 24, 2012 – Coverity, the leader in development testing, and Wind River, a world leader in embedded and mobile software, have teamed to integrate Coverity’s development testing platform for secur ... -
Parasoft Advances Static Analysis for Security, Accelerates Desktop Analysis
25 Jan 2012 | 5:57 amMonrovia, CA – January 24, 2012 Parasoft Corporation, industry leader in automated defect prevention and detection, today introduced a new release of Parasoft Jtest: the industry's most comprehensive Java testing solution. Parasoft Jtest au ... -
Approaching Agile Testing
23 Jan 2012 | 2:25 pm"Agile testing" is not a completely different testing procedure but a software testing practice, following the principles of the Agile life cycle. How? Its most salient aspect is that it emphasizes testing and close work with the end users or at leas ... -
Midje
23 Jan 2012 | 10:45 amMidje is a test framework for Clojure. I created it to support top-down as well as bottom-up testing, to encourage readable tests, to provide a smooth migration path from clojure.test and to support a balance between abstraction and concreteness. -
Unit Testing Myths and Practices
18 Jan 2012 | 3:01 pmWe all understand the value of Unit Testing, but how come so few organisations maintain unit tests for their in-house applications? We can no longer pretend that unit testing is a universal panacea for ensuring less-buggy applications. Instead, we sh ...
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Project Management Articles - PM Hut
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Keys To Successful Postmortems - Part I: Setting Up the Meeting
27 Jan 2012 | 4:47 pmKeys To Successful Postmortems - Part I: Setting Up the Meeting By Mark Calabrese Part of closing out any project, outage, service restoration team effort or any initiative whether successful or otherwise (and it’s even more critical on the “or otherwise”) is the postmortem. Too often, this milestone in the ‘Closing’ phase of a project is either [...] -
What IT Managers Can Learn From the Failure of a British IT Project
27 Jan 2012 | 11:20 amWhat IT Managers Can Learn From the Failure of a British IT Project By Jim Anderson Note: This article also applies to IT Project Managers, that’s why PM Hut elected to publish it. The one thing that everyone in IT has learned is to stay away from projects that we just know are going to fail, right? It [...] -
Agile Project Charter
27 Jan 2012 | 7:56 amAgile Project Charter By Terry Bunio With the current project I am working on we discussed how we can make the Project Charter or Project Kick-off activities much more Agile. We are proposing to use new Agile methods and want to enhance our communication and allow team members to easily understand what they would be doing on [...] -
Lead, Follow, Or Leave
26 Jan 2012 | 1:59 pmLead, Follow, Or Leave By Simon Jackson It was Thomas Paine who said we should lead, follow, or get out of the way. Following is rarely considered a leadership skill but I think is one of the most important. Leadership is not the same thing as management, direction, or control. Leadership is a state of mind, not [...] -
Project Management: Fix the “Fail to Plan” Syndrome
26 Jan 2012 | 10:57 amProject Management: Fix the “Fail to Plan” Syndrome By Carol Dekkers You’ve probably heard the popular saying: No one plans to fail, but often we fail to plan! Did you know that the most common method of software development today (according to author Steve McConnell) is “Code & Fix”? Code and Fix is the method whereby requirements are [...]
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Fred Beringer
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SOASTA TouchTest – The day after
25 Jan 2012 | 6:06 amWow! What a week! We’ve announced our new AWESOME product TouchTest this Monday and things got crazy really quickly! I’ve been talking about it yesterday all day long with testers and potential customers, and the feedback is truly AMAZING! Then when I had finally some time to catch up with what was said about TouchTest, I ended up spending quite a bit of time reading everything that was being said about TouchTest. Check this out! Fast Company: There’s an App for that App When apps were simple, only accessed by users numbering in the hundred or thousand and not particularly… -
Mobile Test Automation the SOASTA way with TouchTest
23 Jan 2012 | 9:20 am2 weeks ago I’ve spent a week at SOASTA HQ for our 2012 kick-off. A good opportunity to meet old friends, and make new ones! As you know, in December we’ve raised an additional $12M to expand our business and awesome people are joining the revolution every day! On the menu was a recap of 2011, plan and objectives for 2012 and of course a little bit of partying and dancing (first ankle tear for me in 2012! But I think I’ve scored some major points on the dance floor ) But during this week there was a true seminal moment, not only for me but for the whole team at SOASTA. The… -
Future UIs will bring challenges to Software Testing!
18 Jan 2012 | 6:12 amThis video was taken at the TED conference in 2010 and presents the future of User Interfaces. The presenter, John UnderKoffler, is the guy who built the technology behind “Minority Report” 10 years ago. You can find emerging application for these kind of UIs from logistics, Financial distribution, military, etc. Today’s UIs rely on Basic Touch (button), multi-touch (several actions) or gesture based (swipe, pinch, etc). But soon we’ll see interface based on voice (Siri like), 3D navigation, bendable phones (Nokia) and hovering gestures (Seen in this awesome demo) If… -
Enterprise Mobility, a new era of opportunity!
17 Jan 2012 | 3:17 amThis is an interesting infographic pulled by [x]Cube Labs showing the state of mobility in the Enterprise. Reducing cost is the major reason for mobility adoption (63%) to put in parallel with the growth of Enterprise apps in the Apple App Store (+186% in 2010). Interesting to see the revenue projection as well: $40B for developers in 2016! That’s a HUGE Market! This is definitely a new era of opportunity for software development and of course software testing! Tweet This! Share this on Facebook Share this on LinkedIn Share this on Reddit Email this via Gmail Stumble upon something… -
The Valley is partying like it’s 1999! SOASTA makes the news!
28 Dec 2011 | 12:26 pmThe crew of NBC Bay Area was in the SOASTA’s office yesterday to shoot a small report on some of the hottest Startups in the Silicon Valley. In case we needed a reminder, 2012 looks really strong especially for Cloud Computing companies. A good indication? It’s getting really tough to hire top notch developers right now in the Valley (We’re actually hiring software engineers right now!) and the money is flowing in the right direction (SOASTA raised $12M this month. We’re looking at expanding internationally and continue to bring AWESOME innovation into the software…
