RE: Deming Center and Six Sigma

["Prevette, Steven S" <Steven_S_Prevette@rl.gov>]

 I just noticed that the Deming Center at Columbia has a Six-Sigma
Initiative (Dr. Woodall comment)

Looking at the web page, I see:

-quote-

Dr. Deming joined the Graduate School of Business at Columbia University
in 1988 at the invitation of Professor John Whitney. This center was
created to honor Dr. Deming's achievements following his death in 1993. 

Deming Philosophy
Deming's message, directed primarily at management, is stated succinctly
in his famous 14 points for management: 

Create constancy of purpose for improvement of product and service. 
Adopt the new philosophy. 
Cease dependence on mass inspection. 
End the practice of awarding business on price tag alone. 
Constantly and forever improve the system of production and service. 
Institute modern methods of training on the job. 
Institute modern methods of supervision. 
Drive out fear. 
Break down barriers between staff areas. 
Eliminate numerical goals for the work force. 
Eliminate work standards and numerical quotas. 
Remove barriers that hinder the hourly worker. 
Institute a vigorous program of education and training. 
Create a situation in top management that will push every day on the
above points. 
In rare moments when he was not pursuing his mission to improve the
management of international corporations, Deming polished his skills as
an organist and music composer. His version of the national anthem,
which addresses people's inability to hit all the notes, serves as a
metaphor for one of his points for management: don't blame the singers
(workers) if the song is written poorly (the system is the problem);
instead, rewrite the music (fix the system). In life and in art, Deming
simply wanted to make it easier for people to sing. 

-unquote- from
http://www.demingcenter.com/html_files/the_center/the_center_history.htm

I see that Columbia University also states it owns the trademark on
"Deming Center" and "Deming Cup".  OK, so since Dr. Deming taught at
Columbia University and Columbia University took out a trademark on
"Deming Center" we now assume Columbia University speaks for Dr Deming?
I wonder what the folks at the Deming Institute think about that?

I will continue to state that six sigma and the 14 points are mutually
exclusive.  Also, Dr. Deming spoke numerous times while he was alive
against zero defects programs, and against six sigma.


Steve Prevette
Occupational Safety and Health
Fluor Hanford, A Fluor Government Group Project
ASQ Certified Quality Engineer
steven_s_prevette@rl.gov
509-373-9371