In his CM: The Next Generation Series, Joe Farah examines the following three steps that deal with process: defining the process, automating the process, and improving process quality. When a process is automated, problems can be repeated and are much easier to diagnose and correct. As the problems are corrected, we attain higher quality.

Jonathan Lindo describes examples of automated test infrastructure utilizing both open source and traditional, independent-software-vendor-sourced software. In addition, he discusses new techniques for extending the value of automated testing by transforming the process from defect finding to defect resolution by reducing the effort required to document, reproduce, and troubleshoot the defects generated from automated tests.

By testing migration processes between environments, bugs are able to be found earlier, and before the migration to production. Using automatic packages, and well-thought out staging areas, migration can be a less painful, and more informative process than it may have been for you in the past.

Organizations are recognizing the need for strong process architecture to manage their operations. Increasing acceptance of International models and practices like CMMI, ITIL, Six Sigma stands testimony to the fact., In such a scenario, it becomes imperative that organizations have a clear strategy when they put in place a process improvement program. In other words, the process for implementing a process improvement program also needs a proper structure. Using Quality Function Deployment (QFD) as a tool for initiating a process improvement program could come in handy.