RE: A Confusing Comment from Dr Deming

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

Keith asked a question related to the foreman of the Red Bead
Experiment.

I believe Dr. Deming was correct when he said "first step get rid of the
foreman".  Ask yourself - did the foreman (playing his or her role) add
any value to the process?  In the Red Beads, the answer is no.  The
foreman spends his time ensuring that the workers followed the failed
process.  If you simply told the workers "Put 50 white beads in the
holes in the paddle" I am sure they would come up with a better answer
than the procedure the foreman enforces.

Now, perhaps he could have said - change the foreman, change the
thinking of the foreman.  A good foreman, listening to his workers,
working with his workers, could organize the improvement effort to come
up with a better way to make white beads.  And the foreman could support
the workers with other items such as pay.

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