Overview

Evidence is overwhelming that successful organizations continuously improve their processes. Although process improvement is time-consuming and expensive, the evidence shows that the return on investment is high. Improvements can be implemented on an ad hoc basis, but systematic process improvement guided by models or standards is the most effective and efficient approach.

The purpose of most standards is to help its users achieve excellence by following the processes and activities adopted by the most successful enterprises. Unfortunately, standards are often developed independently by standards bodies based on industry-specific needs. Once approved and published, they are periodically updated and revised to reflect the most current experience in that particular field. In many instances, a liaison between the standards bodies is established to make the standards more compatible, but even with such a liaison, each standard usually grows in its own direction with only minimal consideration for the others.

Because standards must limit their scope, they generally cover very specific fields. Over time, activities in other emerging fields may need to be considered, so as a result, additional standards are written or existing standards are modified. Thus, what was at one time a compact well-thought-out set of rules becomes diffused and those rules gradually diverge in unforeseen directions.

In addition, a large body of work, such as more detailed subordinate standards, guidebooks, tutorials, and evaluation methods, usually accompanies each standard. Consultants develop specific guides and tools and registration or certification organizations are formed to provide assessment services. All of these tools...