Four of the most influential quality gurus are Deming, Juran, Crosby, and Taguchi.  View this link for a chart comparing their quality philosophies.

Kaizen is a term that is often used in relation to quality improvement in the manufacturing environment, but which is also applicable to project quality improvement. Kaizen is supposed to operate based on three principles:

1. Consider the process and the results (not results-only) so that actions to achieve effects are surfaced;
2. systemic thinking of the whole process and not just that immediately in view  in order to avoid creating problems elsewhere in the process; and
3. a learning, non-judgmental, non-blaming approach and intent will allow the re-examination of the assumptions that resulted in the current process.

Kaizen - is a daily activity, the purpose of which goes beyond simple productivity improvement. It is also a process that, when done correctly, humanizes the workplace, eliminates overly hard work and teaches people how to perform experiments on their work using the scientific method and how to learn to spot and eliminate waste in business processes.

People at all levels of an organization can participate in kaizen - also external stakeholders when applicable. It usually involves a small group in improving their own work environment and productivity. This group is often guided through the kaizen process by a line supervisor; sometimes this is the line supervisor's key role.

A project management training game focused on control charts

This interactive exercise teaches participants about quality planning, quality assurance, and quality control concepts. The participants set a goal and perform "deliverables" which are monitored and measured in a control chart.

A control chart is a graph that displays data taken over time and computed variations of those data. Control charts are used to show the variation on a variety of variables including average (X) and range (R) and also the number of defects. The control chart allows you to distinguish between measurements that are predictably within the inherent capability of the process (normal causes of variation that are to be expected) and measurements that are unpredictable and produced by special causes.

In this particular learning activity, participants use their performance to learn about standard variations, sigmas, special causes, and the rule of seven. Many of these concepts are ideas students struggle with while studying for their PMP exam. The hands-on experience makes it much clearer. Great for college courses and project management workshops as well.

See the game in the store.