System vs Individual

["D C Flatman" <d.flatman@dsl.pipex.com>]

Hi

Can anyone enlighten me?  I recall Deming saying something like 95% of
performance is due to the system and 5% due to the individual.  I have
always regarded this as rhetorical rather than a statistical statement - and
thought it a little strange therefore, coming from the great man.    I have
always been hesitant about using it for this reason.  It has always seemed
to me to be a statement which you appreciate if you are already on that
wavelength, and find it pretty meaningless if you are not. Can anyone give
me the proper quotation and confirm or refute its rhetorical nature.

 

Thanks

David Flatman