About the Author

Richard E. Zultner is an international consultant, educator, author, and speaker. QFD applied to high-tech and software-intensive products and processes has been his primary focus for the past 15 years. In 1998, he received the International Akao Prize for his contributions to the QFD field. He is one of 12 people so honored. In addition to providing consulting and training on Software QFD, Software SPC, and coaching executives on The Deming Way to Software Quality, Richard also acts as a Paradigm Guide to organizations willing to pioneer powerful new methods, such as the Theory of Constraints. Richard holds a master's degree in management from the J. L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, and has professional certifications in quality, software quality, project management, and software engineering. He is a certified Jonah in the Theory of Constraints from the Averham Y. Goldratt Institute.