Deming and His Fourteen Suggestions...

W. Edwards Deming

From Wikipedia, "William Edwards Deming (October 14, 1900 – December 20, 1993) was an American statistician, professor, author, lecturer, and consultant."

from Wikipedia: W. Edwards Deming

Years ago, again, when I worked in a petrochemical plant, and before Deming died, the Company decided to use Deming's methods to promote substantial improvements in the Company processes. As I recall, Deming had fourteen points. As a young engineer I was eager to study the methods of this great man, methods that after WWII transformed Japan into a manufacturing dynamo. We even watched some live video feeds of Deming promoting his methods. He was quite the curmudgeon.

Now the thing about Deming's 14 points is that they are a package deal. Each point is part of a system composed of all 14 points. Think of a system as a cow. Now you can take a leg off a cow and you no longer have a complete cow. That's what a system is all about. Cut a cow in half and you don't get two cows. All parts work together to make a functional whole.

Back to the story. The Company decided to implement Deming's 14 points and we had classes on - wait for it - HOW the Company would implement each of the points.

Early on in the study I realized they were redefining the system, and I made some notes. It was the poetic period of my life…

I made a special note for Deming point 4: "End practice of awarding business on price tag alone."

"Anybody will work hard IF ..."

they are appreciated

they have an inner drive

they know what to do, how to do it, and are given the right tools

they are raised to do so

they believe they have good reason

they know what the goal is

they feel a part of the job, with self-satisfaction and involvement

they are given feedback

they can do it their way

their efforts are recognized, and they are satisfied

they enjoy their work

they like their work and feel the end result is worthwhile

they feel like part of the team

a combination of all the above...

Yet in all my lost documents I found the following piece written in 1992 and I still have the hand-written note.  It was tongue in cheek, so be kind.

Deming’s Fourteen Points

A Company’s Tale

We’re an American group

A wise and tough troupe

We know how to do things right.

But let’s be a lemming

And follow this Deming

Sending profits out of sight.

1. Constancy of purpose	Be constant in purpose And profits will surface. These long-term results take some thought.
2. Adopt new philosophy and lead (Manage by Method)	The philosophy’s new A good leader or two… I know a good man who can be bought.
3. Quit inspecting and build quality in.	Build quality in Quit checking then… Then what will our inspectors do?
4. Go for a single supplier	Get one supplier And be a good buyer. If one’s good, we’d better have two!
5. Constant Improvement	Keep on improving Constantly moving. Of course, our process is good enough.
6. Train on the job	Let everyone learn To do what they earn. Hey, I wonder who’s gonna teach ‘em?
7. Institute Leadership	Someone to lead A dire need. We’ll assign that to Joe, down the hall.
8. Drive out Fear	Drive out that fear We’re all family here. And if you don’t think so, you’re fired.
9. Break down Barriers	Remove those work barriers From buyers to carriers Then let me know how it went.
10. Eliminate Slogans	Slogans must go They’re all just for show. But do it right the first time!
11. Eliminate Work Standard quotas, Get Leadership. (Eliminate management by objective and replace with management by method.)	Not how many or when Leaders again! Will this keep our production at max?
12. Allow the worker pride of workmanship (abolish performance appraisals)	Work and have pride We’re on the same side. Be proud if you do the job right!
13. Institute program of education, self-improvement.	Encourage their learning For whatever they’re yearning. Are we sure we want them that smart?
14. Do it. Everyone do it.	So let’s all get to it Just get up and do it. Please let me know when it’s done.

The company went under

Due to somebody’s blunder

I don’t understand it at all.

We did all the rules

Attended the schools.

That Deming stuff just doesn’t work!

Shortly after this I discovered Dilbert. I never looked back.