Re: Cause source - system v. employee

[Myron Tribus <mtribus@earthlink.net>]

Around 1981, when I first heard Dr.Deming speaking in seminars,  he 
used to say that 85% of the problems were with the system and only 
15% with the worker, at which point he would credit Juran for the 
observation.  As he continued to speak of this theme he gradually 
changed the numbers until he was saying, in his judgement, 95% of the 
problems were with the system and he no longer credited (blamed?) 
Juran for these numbers.
As far as I know, it is just a matter of the opinion of two men of 
extraordinary experience.  I am confident no one has actually taken 
data.
Furthermore, this is an hypothesis which cannot be disproven.  By 
that I mean that we can always say that the problem is with 
management for hiring such a person in the first place,  it was the 
fault of the system that such an unreliable performer was placed in 
the jobe,  etc., etc., etc.

Myron Tribus        mtribus@earthlink.net
350 Britto Terrace,  Fremont, CA  94539
Ph: (510) 651 3641     Fax: (510) 656 9875

The establishment always rejects new ideas for it is
composed of people who, having found some of the truth yesterday
believe they possess all of it today.  (E. T. Jaynes)