Human resources based improvement strategies—the learning factor

Abstract

Processes usually are defined according to the underlying standards (ISO 15504, ESA ECSS, ISO 9001, etc.) and are described with process steps to be performed by roles and producing results (outputs) from well‐defined inputs, methods and tools to support the process steps, and activities to be done and skills to be covered by roles (Messnarz Ret et al. Proceedings of the 6th European Conference on Quality Assurance, Vienna 10–12 April 1999). Assessments and the resulting improvement initiatives focus much on the processes and less on the human resources based strategies.In this article we want to emphasise that both issues are of equal importance, the processes and the highly skilled human force. We also highlight a currently running European strategy (European Qualification Network (EQN)) and a funded technology project PLATO which support the establishment of such a human resource and learning strategy in Europe. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The people aspects in modern process improvement management approaches

“…SPI is seen as a process innovation, and the innovation studies considered process innovation, including the relationships to product innovation, services innovation and new market creation. European projects have analysed the typical behaviour of people in innovation environments and outlined the following development.…”

Europe wide industry certification using standard procedures based on ISO 17024

“…As a result of this the ECQA [3], [4], [5], [9], [10] A job role committee is an international working group who signed the standard ECQA JRC agreement and annually maintain the skills card and test questions pool ECQA certifies training bodies who train assessors in this new assessment model.…”

“…To support the concept of lifelong learning accounts (a strategy developed in the EQN project) the EU Cert Campus project (above 20 partners from 18 countries) developed an infrastructure which supports standard procedures for lifelong account management, self ass4essment of skills, exams and administration of certificates [2], [4], [5], [9].…”

“…The project EQN [3], [4], [5] was a strategic network project in education in which industry and educational institutions from 13 countries did networking to propose a solution to this demographic problem. Also the project should deliver an initiative of innovation in education as well [6], [8].…”

Social responsibility aspects supporting the success of SPI

“…In meetings where the safety-related processes and improvements are presented, the top management must really be present and open the events with their support statement. processes, the more the SPI will show an impact [6]. Principle 10: Do not lose focus.…”