Overview

Quality challenges in software are not unique. Much can be gained by adapting quality system best practices from manufacturing and hardware and using them in the software development environment. Because DFTS requires major changes in the typical software development process, organizations that anticipate these changes and provide required leadership benefit in quality, customer satisfaction, cycle times, costs, and quality of work life. The underlying causes of failures of quality initiatives such as Six Sigma, Business Process Reengineering (BPR), and Total Quality Management (TQM) are just as pertinent to a DFTS initiative. All successful quality initiatives are invariably led by CEOs. This chapter describes a 15-step implementation framework, PICS, for deploying a DFTS initiative. It is based on Deming's quality philosophy, Kurt Lewin's Force Field Analysis Model for introducing and integrating desired social change, and other organizational best practices. Organizations embarking on DFTS should understand the magnitude of the tasks ahead if they are seeking transformative and lasting results.

Chapter Outline

• Organizational Challenges of a DFTS Deployment

• DFTS Implementation Framework

• Putting It All Together

• Key Points

• Additional Resources

• Internet Exercises

• Review Questions

• Discussion Questions and Projects

• Endnotes