| Born in 1900, Dr. Deming was a physicist who became
interested in the science of what has become known as statistical quality control.
During the World War II era, Dr. Deming, was introduced to Walter A. Shewhart, a Bell Labs
statistician. Shewhart introduced Dr. Deming into the techniques for measuring and
improving industrial processes. Shewhart brought into modern use such as control limits
and control charts, along with the insight and understanding on how to use the charts to
train workers on techniques for process improvement. During World War II, Dr. Deming used
his statistical knowledge to improve sampling techniques for the 1940 census, and showed
amongst other things the direct link between training and improved quality. However, after
World War II, the science of statistical quality control atrophied. America’s
business no longer was concerned about quality or quality control. Enter
the Japanese. In a now well-known bit of history, after the War the Japanese were infamous
for producing shoddy merchandise. Their situation after the war was as desparate as
America’s during the war (or even more so!). So during the late forties, and early
fifties, Dr. Deming taught quality control to the Japanese. Slowly the impact of his
techniques was adopted, and by 1951 the Japanese established the Deming Prize – a
medal for improved quality to be awarded to scientists for theoretical improvements in
statistical theory and to companies for the application of statistical control techniques.
His impact continued to affect Japanese productivity and quality well into the sixties and
seventies. But he was still the unknown prophet in America.
In 1980, after America was losing marketshare to the Japanese, NBC
started work on a television show entitled "Whatever Happened to Good Old Yankee
Ingenuity". Dr. Deming, now at home in the US was rediscovered, and his applications
of statistical quality control, the Fourteen Admonitions, and the Seven Deadly Diseases
became known to the US.
It is interesting to me to note that a Japanese schoolchild can recite
Dr. Deming’s Fourteen Admonitions and Seven Deadly Diseases as well as an American
schoolchild can recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Considering that Dr. Deming’s have
an ethical basis, perhaps it is time that America rediscover Dr. Deming again. So here are
the "Fourteen Admonitions" and the "Seven Deadly Diseases". |
