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Systematic improvement of software engineering processes needs to be based on empirical investigation and organisational learning. Explicit description and focused management of information and experience are crucial for the success of software projects and improvement programmes. Appropriate methods and procedures are needed as well as a suitable organisational and technical infrastructure.This paper presents the PERFECT Improvement Approach (PIA) that was developed in ESPRIT project PERFECT. It builds on the Quality Improvement Paradigm (QIP) / Experience Factory (EF) approach that represents an adoption of Total Quality Management to the software engineering discipline.The elements of PIA are introduced. Focus is put on its methodological aspects. The role of information and experience in systematic improvement programmes is described. It is illustrated using an example scenario that has been derived from industrial applications of PIA. vi