A method of representing the results of quality improvement efforts. Joseph M. Juran in the industrial setting has represented quality improvement as an ever-rising spiral, an inclined plane. The processes involved in making the product or providing the service are constantly monitored and, as opportunities for improvement are identified, changes are made which result in breakthroughs to higher levels of quality. In certain respects, the concept of a staircase is more appropriate than that of a spiral, since breakthroughs actually improve quality in steps rather than in a continuous fashion.