Deming on systems thinking

[Øgland - Petter <petter.ogland@skatteetaten.no>]

[Moderator's Note:  Peter is a new subscriber to the DEN and may be using
different vocabulary than one might be used to.  Please look beyond what a
word might mean to *you* and see if we can assist him.  Thanks  ]

According to Louis E. Schultz in Voehl's "Deming - the way we knew him" (St.
Lucie Press: Florida, 1995, page 152), the legacy that Deming wanted to
leave behind was SYSTEMS THINKING and WIN-WIN.

As I understand it, systems thinking was an important part of the New Age
ideology of the 1980s (Fritjof Capra etc).  Is there a natural New Age
interpretation of SOPK metaphysics?  Are there any vital differences in the
philosophies of Capra, Ackoff and Deming?

I'm trying to fascilitate change in a large organsation, so I am
consequently looking for ways of changing how people think in order to
fascilitate the use of SQC as applied within the Deming paradigme.  If I
have understood Deming correctly, he means quality improvement has to be
viewed as a religion in order to get management to take responsibility.  Is
New Age Philosophy a proper "religion" for the purpose of confusing people
into a state where they will accept Deming's message?

Petter Ogland, Quality Manager