Wednesday, October 13, 2004

Q Quest

Striving for quality in products and process must be measured quantitatively so that you know you are making progress an must be attended to daily so that you do make progress. However quality does not end there, it begins there. Continuous improvement is not a slogan, a work principle or a technique, it is a life style. Striving for quality in all aspects of your life is something we all aspire to, although it is difficult and requires focus. However even after writing those sentences the words seem hollow and do not convey an appreciation of the quest for understanding and achieving quality.



So the best I can do is recommend an author, Robert Pirsig, and his books that do a great job of exploring quality. Zen and the Art of Motorcylce Maintenance was his first book and was popular when I began graduate school and still is today. A web version of Pirsig's book can be found here, but if you find you like the book, buy the paperback to support this kind of work. His second book, Lila: An Inquiry Into Morals, continues his exploration. Both books are written as novels and take some work, but at the end you will have a better appreciation for the quest.



Any other recommended Quality books out there or any opinions on the Pirsig books. I would appreciate your comments. Later!



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