In Bruce Lee's words:
Knowing is not enough, we must apply
Willing is not enough, we must do
When I speak to people from the industry, they invariably use a lot of terms and jargons.
But that has left me to wonder, if they really mean the words that they use.
Specifically, in quality assurance, method, methodology, technique, type, process, model, strategy etc are the word that I hear often.
A slight dig into them, would more often reveal, that they constantly ponder on the right usage at the right place!
So, here Iam, thinking out, in black and white!
Knowing is not enough, we must apply
Willing is not enough, we must do
When I speak to people from the industry, they invariably use a lot of terms and jargons.
But that has left me to wonder, if they really mean the words that they use.
Specifically, in quality assurance, method, methodology, technique, type, process, model, strategy etc are the word that I hear often.
A slight dig into them, would more often reveal, that they constantly ponder on the right usage at the right place!
So, here Iam, thinking out, in black and white!
Method
Definitions on internet
Scientific method, a series of steps taken to acquire knowledge [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Method]
An established, habitual, logical, or prescribed practice or systematic process of achieving certain ends with accuracy and efficiency, usually in an ordered sequence of fixed steps.
Evaluation of structure methods/process, responsibilities, scope, schedule, milestone and future plans to validate/verify a set of requirements is methodology
My View
Collection of sets of steps that could be used in achieving a solution
The problem could be abstract and the method has to be applied appropriately
Example:
I want a tea, the following could result in any one variety of tea.
tea [leaf, powder, bag] + liquid [water, milk] + consistency [thin, thick] + temperature [hot/cold] + taste [strong, light, sweet, bland] + Flavor [ginger, masala] etc
Scientific method, a series of steps taken to acquire knowledge [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Method]
An established, habitual, logical, or prescribed practice or systematic process of achieving certain ends with accuracy and efficiency, usually in an ordered sequence of fixed steps.
Evaluation of structure methods/process, responsibilities, scope, schedule, milestone and future plans to validate/verify a set of requirements is methodology
My View
Collection of sets of steps that could be used in achieving a solution
The problem could be abstract and the method has to be applied appropriately
Example:
I want a tea, the following could result in any one variety of tea.
tea [leaf, powder, bag] + liquid [water, milk] + consistency [thin, thick] + temperature [hot/cold] + taste [strong, light, sweet, bland] + Flavor [ginger, masala] etc
Technique
Definitions on internet
A technique is a procedure used to accomplish a specific activity or task [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technique]
A practical method, skill, or art applied to a particular task
The systematic procedure by which a complex or scientific task is accomplished.
My View
It could be steps in achieving a solution. The steps can vary resulting in same or fine tuned end result.
There can be a number of techniques to solve a problem or in doing a job.
The problem and the solution could be straight forward
Example:
I want a tea with some personalization.
Prepare tea to suit the order!
A technique is a procedure used to accomplish a specific activity or task [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technique]
A practical method, skill, or art applied to a particular task
The systematic procedure by which a complex or scientific task is accomplished.
My View
It could be steps in achieving a solution. The steps can vary resulting in same or fine tuned end result.
There can be a number of techniques to solve a problem or in doing a job.
The problem and the solution could be straight forward
Example:
I want a tea with some personalization.
Prepare tea to suit the order!
Process
Definitions on internet
Unifying principles which operate in many different systemic contexts [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Process]
A systematic series of actions or operations conducing to an end
A continuous action, operation, or series of changes taking place in a definite manner
A phenomenon marked by gradual changes that lead toward a particular result
A series of actions, changes, or functions bringing about a result
A series of operations performed in the making or treatment of a product
My View
It could be Methods and techniques incorporated as a chore that guides through step by step actions in achieving the solution, irrespective of person/place/thing
But when one or more(a right mix) is considered for implementing, it becomes a process which becomes the norm until a gap is identified.
Example:
Follow the steps to get the desired tea with same result (Improved process=>Improved
Strategy - A strategy is a plan of action designed to achieve a vision [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strategy]
Model could be representation of any thing, for which methods, techniques, processes, strategy etc could be defined/arrived/derived/etc
Ah! having written the above, at a glance they do really look the same!!.
It would need some reflection to understand the subtle differences.
Unifying principles which operate in many different systemic contexts [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Process]
A systematic series of actions or operations conducing to an end
A continuous action, operation, or series of changes taking place in a definite manner
A phenomenon marked by gradual changes that lead toward a particular result
A series of actions, changes, or functions bringing about a result
A series of operations performed in the making or treatment of a product
My View
It could be Methods and techniques incorporated as a chore that guides through step by step actions in achieving the solution, irrespective of person/place/thing
But when one or more(a right mix) is considered for implementing, it becomes a process which becomes the norm until a gap is identified.
Example:
Follow the steps to get the desired tea with same result (Improved process=>Improved
Strategy - A strategy is a plan of action designed to achieve a vision [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strategy]
Model could be representation of any thing, for which methods, techniques, processes, strategy etc could be defined/arrived/derived/etc
Ah! having written the above, at a glance they do really look the same!!.
It would need some reflection to understand the subtle differences.