RE: Lack of Deming Philosophy in Education

[Rip Stauffer <rstauffer@bluefirepartners.com>]

I would have to sadly agree with Robert Bacal's second and third points. 

That Deming's work was "seriously flawed" carries an emotional component, in
my view. I would agree that the psychological component of the SoPK was
probably the least developed (and I think that was his view, as well, wasn't
it?). But I'm still struggling with Robert's view, expressed many times over
the years, that it doesn't represent reality. Certainly Deming's views on
performance appraisal don't represent what's practiced at most
organizations, but anyone who has experience with performance appraisal
systems (for instance) can attest to his basic assertions about the harm
that they do. His predictions about reward systems have been consistent with
my experience, as well, but I don't know how much hard evidence exists to
answer those questions either way. Much of what I've read on either side of
these question has been refuted and derided by those on the other side.

I am willing to concede that Dr. Deming's philosophy was considered utopian
by some. God knows I heard that sort of thin in the Navy, but we had a
culture that said, "don't bring me a problem without bringing me the
solution." I though that myself until I began to understand it. Then I began
to see that it was far from utopian, it was actually a MORE realistic world
view than the one I'd been using, it was MORE pragmatic.

I think that if we really want to "extend" Dr. Deming's work, we need to
find those areas that are weak or perceived as weak and shore them up with
some acceptable research. I'm not sure whether we can find some common
ground with which all the different psychology schools will agree, but maybe
we should entertain the idea. Probably to Robert's point, I am not qualified
to discuss psychology in any great depth. We certainly have some qualified
folks in this forum, though, don't we?

Best regards to all,

Rip

Rip Stauffer, Senior Consultant
BlueFire Partners
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