CCE Faculty Articles
A Pattern System of Underlying Theories for Process Improvement
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Proceedings of the 17th Conference on Pattern Languages of Programs
Event Date/Location
Reno, NV / 2010
ISSN
978-1-4503-0107-7
Publication Date
10-2010
Abstract
An underlying theory is a framework of goals, solutions, and assumptions that guide how we observe situations and define problems. In science, the underlying theories, like particles, waves, relativity, plate tectonics, and evolution, are well known and well understood. In process improvement, the underlying theories are not so well understood. To address that problem, we present a system of patterns. The system includes six patterns for theories that underlie many of the well known practices in process improvement. The patterns are Plan, Best Practices, Flow, Feedback, Systems Thinking, and Living System. These patterns are found in ISO 9000, PMBOK, CMMI, SPICE, Lean, TQM, Six Sigma, and Agile. Like all patterns, the patterns in this system are structural configurations that solve a problem in a context.
DOI
10.1145/2493288.2493296
NSUWorks Citation
Van Hilst, Michael and Fernandez, Eduardo B., "A Pattern System of Underlying Theories for Process Improvement" (2010). CCE Faculty Articles. 473.
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/gscis_facarticles/473