| How Six Sigma Applies to Software Development and IT: |
| A CAI State of the Practice Interview with Gary Gack, CEO |
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| 1.
Interview with Gary Gack, CEO of Six Sigma Advantage |
Gary Gack has over 40 years experience in the software and IT industry with extensive large-scale project and program management, including teams with over 200 developers. He has owned and managed several software/consulting businesses, and has extensive experience with software process assessments using the SEI/CMM, ISO 15504 (“Spice”), and various proprietary methods. Gary is the author of numerous articles dealing with project management, process improvement, cost accounting and metrics, and software quality assurance and he has also co-authored many Six Sigma training programs tailored to software and technology audiences. Gary Gack is currently the CEO of Six Sigma Advantage. Our interview with Mr. Gack took place in August of 2005. |
| Click Here to Read the Interview! |
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| 2. Six Sigma Applies to IT, As Evidenced by Success |
| This article by Gary Gack recaps some of the successes that have been achieved with Six Sigma in IT while describing some of the IT activities to which Six Sigma can specifically be applied. |
| Click Here to Read the Article! |
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| 3. Applying Six Sigma to Software Implementation Projects |
Six Sigma can be applied to software implementation projects as well as software development. In this article by Gary Gack, two project scenarios that feature common pain points are used to provide examples of how Six Sigma can address software implementation issues. |
| Click Here to Read the Article! |
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| 4.
Site of the Week |
| Six Sigma Advantage |
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| 5.
Book
of the Week |
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| Six Sigma Software Development by Christine B. Tayntor |
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| From
the book description: “Since Six Sigma has had marked success in improving quality in other settings, and since the quality of software remains poor, it seems a natural evolution to apply the concepts and tools of Six Sigma to system development and the IT department. Until now however, there were no books available that applied these concepts to the system development process. Six Sigma Software Development fills this void and illustrates how Six Sigma concepts can be applied to all aspects of the evolving system development process. It includes the traditional waterfall model and support of legacy systems, but also more recent development innovations such as rapid application development, packaged software implementation, and outsourcing.The volume begins with a basic primer of Six Sigma, using a case study to provide a clear explanation of Six Sigma concepts and their application. It then explains the relevance of Six Sigma to the system development process, to quality assurance, and the SEI CMM-mapping the concepts and tools to all aspects of application development. A primary focus is placed on eliminating defects and improving customer satisfaction through the use of tools that help ensure requirements are clearly defined, understood, and met. Finally, the book shows how Six Sigma can be used for more than a single project, in that the concepts can be applied to measure, manage, and improve the performance of your entire IT department." |
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| Click
Here to Read More or to Buy the Book! |
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| 6.
Archives |
| Special
Edition! Interview with Dr. Michael Cusumano, MIT Sloan
School of Management |
| Special
Edition! Interview with Dr. Herb Krasner, University of
Texas and Krasner Consulting |
| Special
Edition! Interview with Capers Jones, Chief Scientist Emeritus
of SPR |
| Special
Edition! Interview with Joseph McMakin, former CIO of Air
Products and Chemicals |
| Special
Edition! Interview with Tom Love, CEO and Author of Software
Pilots |
| Standard
Software Processes: 3 Easy Pieces for Getting You Started! |
| Software Estimation: What You Can Do to Make a Difference TODAY! |
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| 7.
FAQ |
| What
is the IT Metrics & Productivity Journal? |
| The
IT Metrics and Productivity Journal is a FREE weekly eZine
that covers Best Practices in Software Development, Software
Maintenance, and Software Management. |
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| What
specifically does the Journal offer? |
| Each
week you will receive 3 articles on any of our 5 main theme
areas (Process, Metrics, Estimation, IT Governance, Education
and Training) along with easy to read abstracts plus related
website recommendations, book reviews, interviews with world
IT leaders, and even promotional giveaways. |
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| OK.
I'm interested. How do I subscribe? |
| If
you would like to receive a free issue of the IT Metrics
and Productivity Journal each week and are not already a
subscriber please register at the link below (Register today
and you'll be eligible for a free iPod Mini!). |
| www.compaid.com/subscribe |
| |
| Is
there a way to get more information? |
| For
more information on software best practices, CAI, or the
IT Metrics and Productivity Institute please contact Mike Milutis, the
IT Metrics & Productivity Journal Editor, at:
michael_milutis@compaid.com |
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| Who
is the Journal's Sponsor? |
| This
issue of the IT Metrics and Productivity Journal is sponsored
by CAI, world leader in IT performance, productivity, and
process. |
| www.compaid.com
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For
more information on software best practices, CAI, or the
ITMPI please contact Michael Milutis, the
IT Metrics and Productivity Journal Editor, at michael_milutis@compaid.com |
