Value Proposition Identification

Value propositions are potential answers to each business performance issue. They are the going in assumptions about future research results. If uniquely proven true, the potential answers become conclusions that should fully address each issue. This book identifies key opportunities to provide value for the organization. It focuses analysis on necessary data collection efforts and provides direction and motivation for the improvement process. It details a method for continuous review of the improvement process and encourages timeliness through digital-setting and milestones.

Dr. H. James Harrington is the chief executive officer of the Harrington Institute, Inc. In the book Tech Trending, Dr. Harrington is referred to as "the quintessential tech trender." The New York Times referred to him as having a "… knack for synthesis and an open mind about packaging his knowledge and experience in new ways—characteristics that may matter more as prerequisites for new-economy success than technical wizardry…." The author, Tom Peters, stated, "I fervently hope that Harrington’s readers will not only benefit from the thoroughness of his effort but will also ‘smell’ the fundamental nature of the challenge for change that he mounts." Former President Bill Clinton appointed Dr. Harrington to serve as an Ambassador of Goodwill. It has been said about him, "He writes the books that other consultants use." The Harrington Institute was featured on the half-hour TV program Heartbeat of America, which focuses on outstanding small businesses that make America strong. The host, William Shatner, stated: "You (Dr. Harrington) manage an entrepreneurial company that moves America forward. You are obviously successful."

Dr. Harrington’s present responsibilities include serving as the chairman of the board for a number of businesses as well as the chief executive officer for the Harrington Institute. He is recognized as one of the world leaders in applying performance improvement methodologies to business processes. He has an excellent record of coming into an organization, and working as its CEO or COO, resulting in a major improvement in its financial and quality performance.

In February 2002 Dr. Harrington retired as the COO of Systemcorp A.L.G., the leading supplier of knowledge management and project management software solutions, when Systemcorp was purchased by IBM.

Prior to this, he served as a principal and one of the leaders in the Process Innovation Group at Ernst & Young; he retired from Ernst & Young when it was purchased by Cap Gemini. Dr. Harrington joined Ernst & Young when Ernst & Young purchased Harrington, Hurd & Rieker, a consulting firm that Dr. Harrington started. Before that Dr. Harrington was with IBM for more than 40 years as a senior engineer and project manager.

He is past chairman and past president of the prestigious International Academy for Quality and of the American Society for Quality Control. He is also an active member of the Global Knowledge Economics Council. Dr. Harrington was elected to the honorary level of the International Academy for Quality, which is the highest level of recognition in the quality profession. He is a government-registered Quality Engineer, a Certified Quality and Reliability Engineer by the American Society for Quality Control, and a Permanent Certified Professional Manager by the Institute of Certified Professional Managers. He is a certified Master Six Sigma Black Belt and received the title of Six Sigma Grand Master. Dr. Harrington has an MBA and PhD in engineering management and a BS in electrical engineering.

Additionally, in 2013 he received an honorary degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the Sudan Academy of Sciences. Dr. Harrington’s contributions to performance improvement around the world have brought him many honors. He was appointed the honorary advisor to the China Quality Control Association and was elected to the Singapore Productivity Hall of Fame in 1990. He has been named lifetime honorary president of the Asia-Pacific Quality Control Organization and honorary director of the Association Chilean de Control de Calidad.

In 2006 Dr. Harrington accepted the honorary chairman position of the Quality Technology Park of Iran. In addition, he has been elected a Fellow of the American Society for Quality Control (ASQC). In 2008 he was elected to be an Honorary Fellow of the Iran Quality Association and Azerbaijan Quality Association. He was also elected as an