This five-day SEI-Licensed course takes a hands-on, problem-solving approach to data analysis, providing participants with a toolkit of analysis methods and how to leverage industry best practices such as Six Sigma and Goal-Driven Measurement. Key concepts in data analysis (including statistical thinking, the 7 Basic Tools, and root cause analysis) are introduced through lectures and extensive practice sessions using real-life case studies and project data. Participants learn a framework in the form of tools, methods, and practices for analyzing data to make more informed business decisions about project and process performance, quality, schedule and cost. The ways in which these quality measurement practices relate to improvement models such as Capability Maturity Model^® Integration (CMMI^®) are also discussed.

The course is composed of lectures and real-world case studies with ample opportunity for participant questions and discussions.  Emphasis is placed on “hands on learning”.  This course is rich in case studies to put learning on a more practical level, which will allow participants to immediately apply what they've learned in their organization.  Participants from organizations just beginning their improvement program can also benefit by understanding how to lay the foundation needed in the measurement program to pave the way to using data effectively, instead of depending on their "gut-feelins!"

Anyone seeking a practical way to analyze quantitative data in support of organizational process improvement programs should consider taking this course.  This includes process developers, improvement group members, measurements team members, Six Sigma black belts, green belts and belt candidates and anyone who wants to gain a better understanding of using Six Sigma in conjunction with CMMI to help improve processes.

Before registering for this course, participants must

• Be familiar with measurement projects or processes from their home organization.

• Be familiar with establishing a measurement infrastructure, particularly using Goal-Driven Measurement.

Before attending this course, participants must

• Install their student license of a statistics package, identified in the student pre-course letter, and confirm that the software opens and functions.

• Read the background material on earned value measurement, Goal-Driven Measurement, and the SEI's Goal-Question-(Indicator)-Metric (GQ(I)M) methodology sent to them.

Required Equipment:

Students must bring a personal computer equipped with:

• Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional with Service Pack 3, Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2, Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2, or Windows Vista (tested on Windows Vista Enterprise, Business, Home Premium, and Home Basic Editions)

• Microsoft Excel 2000, 2002 (XP), 2003, or 2007

• Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or later

• Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 (or 3.0 with Windows XP versions or Vista)

• Pentium-equivalent microprocessor (800 MHz or faster)

• at least 512 MB of RAM

• at least 88 MB of hard disk space for .NET Framework 2.0 and another 58 MB for .NET Framework 3.0 (if not already installed) and at least 400 MB for additional applications to be installed.  (Note:  Each of the first two components listed requires approximately twice the given amount of disk space during installation.)

• CD-ROM drive or USB port

• video graphics adapter and monitor with at least 1024x768 resolution

• Adobe Acrobat Reader 6.0 or later