Can local solutions prevail?

["Andy Pearson" <andrew-j.pearson@virgin.net>]

Many years ago, I (somewhat isolated, frustrated and in a 'grass roots'
position) asked, with regards to Deming: Where do I start?

The advice I received was sound: Start where you are, start where you
have some control.  So I did just that, listened to people, solved a few
problems and introduced others to a "better" way of thinking.

Sadly - and now for the third time in my career - a very successful 'local'
solution of mine is about to be over-turned by a senior management
decision to impose a centralised 'one size fits no-one' approach.  Their
solution (sic) is nothing more than a chase for numbers and quality
medals (ie the situation I inherited and moved away from two years ago)
and it's going to cause widespread demoralisation and disillusionment.

What advice do people have about protecting 'local' solutions from
management (a million miles away from the coalface) who are obsessed
with imposing both targets *and* methods?

Andy.

Andy Pearson
Software Process Improvement Project Leader
Philips Semiconductors Southampton England

[Moderator's Note:  The theme of next year's IN2IN Forum in Los Angeles is:
"Making a Difference From Where We Are -  Better Thinking for a Better Future"
and will address the same "Start from where you are" position, see:
   http://in2in.org