W. Edwards Deming was a moral philosopher, prophet, and sage with profound insights into the management of organizations and the art of leadership and living. He also was a composer of liturgical music, a singer, and a musician. Edward Martin Baker, one of Demings most valued associates, shares his deep understanding of Demings System of Profound Knowledge, a set of theories and philosophies that helped reshape the management practices of many large multinational corporations. This included bringing organizations to economic health and individuals to spiritual and psychological health by attaining dignity and joy in work. Baker provides an accurate depiction of the philosophy as a musical score: first movement: theory of knowledge second movement: appreciation for a system third movement: knowledge about variation fourth movement: knowledge of psychology Baker shows how the system can be viewed as a mapa mental representation of the territory that managers and others must navigate as they play their various roles. The Symphony of Profound Knowledge and what Deming taught contradicts whats learned in school and in the management of organizations. His teachings encourage the reevaluation of what is seen as fact. It provides a thorough understanding of the Deming philosophy and how to apply those concepts to life.
From the birth of modern industry, to winning WWII, to Japan’s Economic Miracle, W. Edwards Deming helped shape some of the most profound moments in modern history. Deming, an American engineer and statistician, is widely recognized for his contributions to the field of quality management. But his teachings go beyond quality management; they influence not only how we work today, but also how we can continue to succeed into the future. Part business history, part biography, part journey into deep business sense, author John Willis captures the full picture of Deming’s life and influence. Most importantly, it reveals the experiences that led to Deming’s greatest discovery: the System of Profound Knowledge, a collection of fundamental truths that show how any system or process can be transformed into something greater. From the real-life Rosie the Riveter to a hacker writing US cybersecurity law, Deming’s ingenuity and system of thinking changed how we think in the modern world. This book shows how we can take that influence and continue to apply it our own future.
The classic and deeply influential work on business management, leadership, problem solving, and quality control—based on Denning’s famous 14 Points for Management. Now reissued for the managers and leaders of today! Translated into 12 languages and continuously in print since its original publication in 1982, this highly influential framework presents the foundations for a completely transformational way to lead and manage people, processes, and resources. According to Deming, American company management’s failure to plan for the future brings about loss of market, which brings about loss of jobs. Management must be judged not only by the quarterly dividend, but by innovative plans to: • Stay in business • Protect investment • Ensure future dividends • Provide more jobs through improved product and service In simple, direct language, Deming explains the principles of management transformation and how to apply them. This edition includes a foreword by Deming’s grandson, Kevin Edwards Cahill, and Kelly Allan, business consultant and Deming expert.
In this captivating companion to Deming's Journey to Profound Knowledge, authors John Willis and Derek Lewis share the untold stories and fascinating details that didn't make it into the original book. Profound Stories takes readers on a deeper dive into the life and times of W. Edwards Deming, offering rare insights and anecdotes that further illuminate the legendary figure's journey to developing his influential System of Profound Knowledge. From Deming's humble origins to his wartime efforts and his pivotal role in Japan's post-war economic miracle, Willis and Lewis leave no stone unturned. Readers will discover the intriguing history behind key concepts like the PDSA Cycle and the Red Bead Game, as well as Deming's connections to other notable figures like Claude Shannon and Vannevar Bush. Profound Stories and Deming's Journey to Profound Knowledge explores the far-reaching impact of Deming's ideas, from the US Census to the American automotive industry to NASA's Apollo program. Willis and Lewis masterfully weave together historical context and personal accounts, creating a rich tapestry that brings Deming's story to life in vivid detail. Whether you're a devoted Deming follower or simply curious about the man behind the philosophy, this engaging and enlightening collection of stories offers a fresh perspective on Deming's life and legacy, revealing the profound impact of his ideas on the world we live in today.
The name W. Edwards Deming is synonymous with the most insightful views, ideas, and commentary on management and quality control. Referred to as "the high prophet of quality" by the New York Times, Deming was instrumental in the spectacular rise of Japanese industry after World War II and influenced many of the world's most innovative managers in the ensuing decades. His original ideas led directly to the creation of relationships with suppliers and a plethora of quality initiatives. Now, with The Essential Deming, Fordham University professor and Deming expert Joyce Orsini draws on a wealth of previously unavailable material to present the legendary thinker's most important management principles in one indispensable volume. The book is filled with articles, papers, lectures, and notes touching on a wide range of topics, but which focus on Deming's overriding message: quality and operations are all about systems, not individual performance; the system has to be designed so that the worker can perform well. The Essential Deming reveals Deming's unique insight about: How poor management infects an entire organization The critical importance of management on producing quality products and services Improving management in any company The effective management of people--the manager's single most important task How to educate workers into critical thinkers Ways to preserve statistical integrity while dealing with real-world problems Fully authorized by the Deming estate and published in cooperation with The W. Edwards Deming Institute, The Essential Deming is the first book to distill Deming's life's worth of thinking and writing into a single source. Orsini provides expert commentary throughout, delivering a powerful, practical guide to superior management. With The Essential Deming, you have the rationale, insight, and best practices you need to transform your organization. "To move from the wilderness of news into the paths of history, we must distinguish true turning points from mistaken ones. W. Edwards Deming has seen the future and it works. He is a turning point of business history made flesh." -- U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT "I engaged Dr. Deming to assist Ford in planning, developing, and implementing the plans to accomplish major improvement in the way people worked together and in the quality of our products. . . . Ford achieved major success in this effort, and I consider Ed Deming to have been a key element in our progress." -- DONALD E. PETERSEN, former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Ford Motor Company "It can be said of very few that they changed the way the world thinks, but Dr. Deming is among them. . . . The legacy of Dr. Deming's genius, already immense, grows even larger with this new collection of his thoughts." -- DONALD M. BERWICK , Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress "Toyota Motor Corporation was awarded a Deming Prize in 1965. This laid the foundations for the present growth of our company. I do believe the ideas and theories of Dr. Deming emphasizing the importance of quality control are very useful for people of all ages." -- TATSURO TOYODA, Senior Advisor, Toyota Motor Corporation "Few rival W. Edwards Deming for impact on management in the twentieth century. Indeed, Deming and Drucker, to my mind, stand apart for the breadth and depth of their vision for management as a profession that truly might help realize the possibility of people working together at their best. . . . The publication of this expansive edition of Deming in Deming's own words is a seminal event." -- PETER M. SENGE, MIT and the Society for Organizational Learning
"This is not a biography. This is a story of discovery From the birth of modern industry, to winning WWII, to Japan's Economic Miracle, W. Edwards Deming helped shape some of the most profound moments in modern history. Deming, an American engineer and statistician, is widely recognized for his contributions to the field of quality management. But his teachings go beyond quality management; they influence not only how we work today, but also how we can continue to succeed into the future. Part business history, part biography, part journey into deep business sense, author John Willis captures the full picture of Deming's life and influence. Most importantly, it reveals the experiences that led to Deming's greatest discovery: the System of Profound Knowledge, a collection of fundamental truths that show how any system or process can be transformed into something greater. From the real-life Rosie the Riveter to a hacker writing US cybersecurity law, Deming's ingenuity and system of thinking changed how we think in the modern world. This book shows how we can take that influence and continue to apply it our own future"--
This is a companion transcript of the audio series, Beyond The Phoenix Project, intended to be used for reference and to enable further research of cited material, and not as a standalone work. In the audio series, Gene Kim and John Willis present a nine-part discussion that includes an oral history of the DevOps movement, as well as discussions around pivotal figures and philosophies that DevOps draws upon, from Goldratt to Deming; from Lean to Safety Culture to Learning Organizations.The book is a great way for listeners to take an even deeper dive into topics relevant to DevOps and leading technology organizations.
