Recommended Resources


Understanding Variation by Donald J. Wheeler

We live in the Information Age, and much of that information comes to us in the form of numbers. But before numerical information can be useful it must be analyzed, interpreted, and assimilated. Unfortunately, teaching the techniques for making sense of data has been neglected at all levels of our educational system. As a result, through our culture there is little appreciation of how to effectively use the volumes of data generated by both business and government. This book can remedy that situation. Readers report that this book as changed both the way they look a data and the very form their monthly reports. It has turned arguments about the numbers into a common understanding of what needs to be done about them. These techniques and benefits have been thoroughly proven in a wide variety of settings. Read this book and use the techniques to gain the benefits for your company.

Learning to See by Mike Rother and John Shook

The How To standard of Value Stream Mapping
Value-stream maps are the blueprints for lean transformations and Learning to See is an easy-to-read, step-by-step instruction manual that teaches this valuable tool to anyone, regardless of his or her background. This groundbreaking workbook, which has introduced the value-stream mapping tool to thousands of people around the world, breaks down the important concepts of value-stream mapping into an easily grasped format. The workbook, a Shingo Research Prize recipient in 1999, is filled with actual maps, as well as engaging diagrams and illustrations…read more.

3 Tips for Enhancing Performance with Reviews

(from The Project Management Institue)
Instead of just evaluating project professionals’ past performance, motivate them.The reviews are in: Traditional performance appraisals could do a better job at motivating employees and producing results for organizations…read more.

Requirements Management

(from the Project Management Institute)
Requirements management — the process through which the requirements of any project are analyzed, documented and managed — is essential to the success of projects and programs. While it seems natural that clearly defining the needs, wants and expectations of your project stakeholders would be a top priority, the sad truth is that far too often it isn’t…read more.

PMI Lexicon of Project Management Terms

(from the Project Management Institute)
The PMI Lexicon of Project Management Terms offers you a standardized set of frequently used project, program and portfolio management terms with clear and concise definitions. Included are 145 terms that have a unique use in the profession and high relevance to its vocabulary…read more.