Re: Knowledge and Variation: Some thoughts on Deming and Fisher

[Julian Simcox <julian@in-quest.co.uk>]

dear jonathan,

personally i find it useful to make a distinction between "variation"
and "variety"

i feel that deming was interested in listening in to systems/ processes
and discovered that since variation exists in all systems/ processes
then monitoring such over time, using a control chart, works very well
for this purpose

he also was interested in defining the "aim" of the system/ process
so that once established it would be possible to operationalize it as a
target - so that those working in and on the system/ process could
develop it to be "on target with minimum variation" (to quote Taguchi)

this is very desirable for "critical" processes - and since there is
always an infinite number of processes, the decision about which
processes are "critical" must be carefully made - some base such a
decision on Goldratt's Theory of Constraints for example, others rely
more on intuition, still others prioritise by customer type

for me, the process of "managing" itself can be usefully defined as the
continual achievement of stability, and then ever reduced variation
around a target agreed (and continually reviewed) with one's primary
customers

as if this wasn't challenging enough, customers keep changing their
minds, moreover often wanting more and more variety, more and more
quickly

this is not only their right - but adds to the variety, diversification
and richness in life - surely a healthy system is one that embodies
diversity - i think that most biologists would concur?

the process of managing in an ever more diverse world means that the
achievement of stability and the subsequent continual reduction in
variation, is ever more difficult to do

a process for "leading" is required, to create an environment in which
appropriate management can take place:

my current working definition of this process is:

"Leading is a process/ system that involves everyone, which requires
integration with the process of managing, and is based
on a community's collective capacity to bring about profound change.
Individually it requires the consciousness, commitment and courage to BE
the change needing to be brought about"

if anyone is interested in a copy of a paper i have recently co-written,
which maps the 2 processes of managing ad leading, please let me know at 

julian@in-quest co.uk

anyway i hope that the distinction between variation and variety is
helpful?

julian simcox

bristol 
england

Julian Simcox