Understanding QS9000 and IATF 16949 Standards For organizations in the automotive industry, selecting and implementing the right quality management system is vital for operational excellence. Two prominent standards, QS9001 vs. IATF 16949, offer distinct frameworks for achieving quality objectives.  Over the decades, we have been involved with both approaches in many ways, from being audited […]

Introduction by Jon M Quigley In today’s complex business environment, we have a variety of audit types to ensure accountability, transparency, and compliance. This article explores the types of audits, their benefits, and the frequent challenges organizations encounter. Whether preparing for an audit or considering implementing one, understanding these aspects is essential. Why Audits Are […]

Risk Management Through the Lens of the Muses Introduction to Risk Management Insights Risk management is more than just a checklist; it’s an art and science. Drawing inspiration from Greek mythology’s Muses, we delve into creative approaches to identifying, analyzing, and mitigating risks. Each Muse symbolizes a unique perspective that enriches our understanding of risk […]

Recipes for Success and the Limits of Repeatability by: Jon M. Quigley Product development is often associated with processes. We would say that these processes are essentially product development recipes.  Product development and the parallels to cooking are undeniable. Both require carefully crafted recipes, skilled cooks, and adaptability when conditions change. But just like high-altitude […]

Understanding Risks In project management, “Russian Roulette Risks” perfectly encapsulates the high-stakes, unpredictable challenges project managers often face. In risk management, there lies a deceptive and often overlooked danger: the illusion of safety born from previous success. This fallacy can lead organizations and individuals to mistakenly believe that a course of action is low risk […]

Creating a PMO (Project Management Office) is often seen as a strategic endeavor to streamline organizational project management practices. However, adopting a dogmatic approach to this process can lead to rigidity and inefficiency. In this post, we explore why flexibility and adaptability are crucial in creating a PMO and outline the steps to set up […]

Thinking about what can go wrong in the project and how to respond (risk register) is so that we know what to do when the event happens. From experience, the quickness of the response to an emerging event often reduces the risk impact on the project.  Ideally, we will have generated a list of the […]

A Song As I wrote this, I kept getting that song by Barenaked Ladies, One Week, going through my head. I have been working on the bassline for that song. My kid introduced the song to me some years back and just recently I thought about learning it. I’m very close. Estimating I have a […]

The Product Development Hike. You won’t read far in product development, where product road map analogy (or actuality) is brought up. Recently, I saw a tweet (is it still called tweet, or is it an X) from @CGLambdin. I wish I had captured the tweet for posting here, but I recall it was about the […]