HBR article

[Wayne Levin <levin@predictum.com>]

I'm sorry to report yet another misrepresentation of Dr. Deming's work and
legacy; this time in the October 2002 edition of the Harvard Business
Review. In an otherwise interesting article entitled "Spotting Management
Fads," the authors seemed to have fallen victim of the very phenomenon they
seek to enlighten readers to avoid.

The article details a short list of characteristics of management fads.

Here's the text of the offending paragraph (page 26/27):

"Legitimized by Gurus and Disciples. Many fads gain credibility by the
status and prestige of their proponents or followers, rather than through
empirical evidence. And stories of corporate heroes and organizational
successes suggest prestigious adherents. For example, consultant W. Edwards
Deming is inextricably linked with TQM as the architect of the 14 Points for
Management."

I recall Dr. Deming distancing himself from TQM with vigor and, of course,
he was not one for "success stories."

Perhaps someone from the WEDI would like to write to  the HBR to set them
straight! If not, I'm certainly prepared to.

Wayne