Dit boek behandelt TQM, Kaizen, TPM, Lean Six Sigma en Design for Six Sigma. De methodes en technieken zijn geïntegreerd in het 'Continuous Improvement Maturity Model' (CIMM). Het boek richt zich niet uitsluitend op de technische aspecten van procesverbetering, maar ook op de 'zachte' vaardigheden. Om succesvol te zijn is het belangrijk dat verbeterprogramma's zowel de zichtbare (activiteiten en Lean Six Sigma technieken) als onzichtbare (strategie, leiderschap en betrokkenheid van de medewerkers) aspecten aanpakken.

'Climbing the Mountain' demonstrates a holistic approach across all improvement methods that have been proven to be successful over the past decades, such as TQM, Kaizen, TPM, Lean, Six Sigma and Design for Six Sigma. These methods, tools and techniques have been united in the 'Continuous Improvement Maturity Model' (CIMM). This framework will guide you to define the most appropriate improvement plan for the situation your company is currently in. In order to be successful it is important that improvement programs addresses both the visible and invisible aspects. The visible elements are the activities and Lean Six Sigma tools, while the invisible aspects are strategy, leadership and engagement of people. This book does not review the technical tools only, but includes the mindset, skill set and tool set of process improvement. As the entire journey of becoming World Class cannot be taken overnight, you do not have to read this book entirely at once. The first chapters will give insight in the five CIMM-levels and at what level your organization is currently acting. This will clarify which chapters will be interesting for you to read and which techniques useful to apply. The structure of this book is based on the Lean Six Sigma Academy Syllabi for Green Belt and Black Belt. Examples are explained with Minitab 17. As such this book will be a guide for Lean Six Sigma Green and Black Belt training programs.