W. Edwards Deming
W. Edwards Deming was a prominent consultant and statistician known for his significant contributions to management practices, particularly in post-World War II Japan. Born on October 14, 1900, he held advanced degrees in engineering, physics, and mathematics, which underpinned his work in various fields including industrial production and statistical analysis. Deming is best recognized for promoting the principles of quality management, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement and efficiency in manufacturing processes. His ideas were instrumental in transforming the perception of Japanese products from low quality to symbols of excellence.
Deming introduced the concept of statistical process control, advocating for the systematic recording and analysis of product defects to drive improvements. He published influential works, notably "Out of the Crisis," outlining 14 key management principles, and "The New Economics," which highlighted the need for cooperation over competition in business practices. His philosophies have left a lasting impact on quality management and organizational development, making him a key figure in 20th-century business evolution. Additionally, Deming had a passion for music and composed several pieces, showcasing his diverse interests beyond his professional achievements.
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W. Edwards Deming
Summary: W. Edwards Deming (1900–1993) was an American applied statistician who revolutionized Japanese management as part of the rebuilding effort after World War II.
W. Edwards Deming was an internationally renowned consultant whose work led Japanese industry into new principles of management and revolutionized quality and productivity in Japanese companies. He believed: “Innovation comes from freedom. It comes from those who are obligated to no one. It comes from people who are responsible only to themselves.” He was born October 14, 1900, and died on December 20, 1993. His undergraduate degree in engineering was from the University of Wyoming in 1921. He earned a M.S. in physics and mathematics from the University of Colorado in 1925 and a Ph.D. in physics from Yale University in 1928. He had a wide and varied career, which included his first scientific paper on the nuclear packing of helium, mathematical and statistical work for the Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C., and work on sampling issues for the U.S. Census Bureau. He noted that he also worked on many different studies, including: “application of statistical theory to problems that arise in industrial production, in tests of physical materials… motor freight, rail freight, accounting… average life of returnable bottles, comparison of medical treatments, comparison of methods of diagnosis, social, and demographic problems created by physical or mental handicaps. My part in any study is the design thereof, followed by evaluation of the statistical reliability of the results.” He received many honors and awards and was also an active member in professional societies, such as the American Statistical Association and as president of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics in 1945.
In 1999, the Los Angeles Times recognized him as one of the 50 people who most influenced business in the twentieth century because of his work in rebuilding Japan after World War II. He urged Japanese companies to concentrate on constant improvement, improved efficiency, and doing things right the first time. The essence of his ideas was based on the concepts of statistical process control, a process originally developed by Walter A. Shewhart in the 1920s. It has since been expanded to include the total quality management approach.
The essence of Deming’s process was to record the number of product defects, statistically analyze why those defects occurred, institute changes to correct the defects, record how much the quality then improved, and to continue to refine the production process until it was done correctly. He said: “If you don’t have a method, you were goofing off. A system must be managed and must have an aim.”
Deming first successfully applied his ideas in the United States during World War II in improving the manufacture of munitions and other strategically important products. As mentioned above, he brought those same ideas to Japan in the 1950s and early 1960s. During that time period, “Made in Japan” went from being a joke and a synonym for poor quality to a symbol of some of the highest quality products. The focus on quality that he emphasized was defined as the ratio of results of work efforts with total costs. If a company or manager focuses on quality, Deming’s work demonstrated that, over time, quality will increase and costs will fall. On the other hand, if the focus is primarily on costs, then costs will rise and quality will decline.
Two major publications have outlined his theories and the processes he developed. In his 1982 book Out of the Crisis, Deming discusses his 14 key principles for management for transforming business executives. Deming felt that if his 14 points were applied in a meaningful way, they would lead to a process of continual improvement. The New Economics, published in 1993, emphasized that the solution to problems comes from cooperation, not competition. This concept is accomplished through a new type of management, which Deming identified as profound knowledge and which includes four parts: appreciation for a system, knowledge about variation, theory of knowledge, and psychology.
Deming also had an interest in music. He composed several pieces, mostly liturgical. He also composed a new rendition of the Star Spangled Banner with the same words set to a different tune. He had always felt that the “pub” music of the original version was not appropriate for a national anthem.
Bibliography
Deming, W. Edwards. Out of the Crisis. Cambridge, MA: Massachusetts Institute of Technology Center for Advanced Engineering Study, 1982.
———. The New Economics. Cambridge, MA: MIT Center for Advanced Engineering Study, 1993.
———. “The W. Edwards Deming Institute: Dr. Deming’s 1974 CV—from his Study.” http://deming.org/index.cfm?content=621.
Paton, Scott. “Four Days With W. Edwards Deming.” http://deming.org/index.cfm?content=653.