To change a process to make the process produce a given product faster, more economically, or of higher quality. Such changes may require the product to be changed. The defect rate must be maintained or reduced.
An activity that seeks to identify and rectify "common causes" of poor quality in software systems by making basic changes in the underlying software management process.
Successful projects will improve quality, delight the customer, enhance employee development, increase process effectiveness & efficiency, and result in greater corporate profit, and a higher return on investment (ROI).
The act and intent of improving a process, by increasing the quality and consistency of the output and/or reducing the time and cost involved in executing the process.