How does an organization improve performance? There is no prescription, but there are accepted practices to achieve Performance Excellence. These practices include DMAIC from Six Sigma that integrates the use of statistical tools into the performance improvement process. Criteria for attaining excellence are given by the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award or the Georgia Oglethorpe Award. These criteria will be discussed in light of their relevance to the use of statistical methods. For all methods, data play a central role. Decisions must be based on data. Use of statistical methods to collect, analyze and communicate information on opportunities for improvement will be discussed as part of MSAS.

Project managers, management and support personnel will benefit by understanding how to use statistical methods in the context of organizational improvement. Students will learn that every organizational activity can be considered a process. A process flow diagram with inputs, value added activity and outputs is the start for improving a process. Students will have the opportunity to work on a project that could address improvement of a process within their organization.