The Changing Definition of Quality Management In the past, Quality Management meant final inspection of the software deliverables. Non-acceptance of Quality meant rework. The new paradigm of Quality Management, however, places emphasis on the process that is used to create the product It is clearly indicative that the final quality of a product can be made more predictable through the definition, implementation and control of processes throughout the product life cycle, in conjunction with the implementation of adequate process automation and quality assurance measures. The benefits accruable from such Process and Quality Management measures are predictable, as compared to the earlier situation in which the quality of the product was left to chance and was known only at the stage of final inspection.   Here is some important data pertaining to process improvements at Mindscape The mean annual growth in productivity has been 15 per cent. The mean annual reduction in defect density has been 25 per cent. The percentage of rework effort on projects has been halved in three years. The price of non-conformance as measured by (testing effort + rework effort) / (total effort on the project) is down by 33 per cent in three years. The above indicators point to a healthy Software Process Improvement program, with increasing benefits and reducing costs.