Just Do It

[Kromkowski@aol.com]

I've always respected Steve P's thoughts and I am totally with him on his post, reprinted below.

I submit that we aren't getting the specific kinds of posts (here's the problem/situation, how should we approach it?), because the DEN has for practical purposes become a closed looped.  

I previously (years ago now) posted about the book "Linked" by Notre Dame's Barabasi.  If we mapped out the influence of the DEN, we would see problem.

And, over the years you can check the archives, I have posted before using control charts on the kind of data that might be extracted from the DEN itself so that the DEN might heal thy self.   That there was "a problem" was evident from the available data many years ago.

But if the DEN is unwilling to change its own status quo, think about how hard it might be to transform education, industry and government.

In the beginning for Deming, there was understanding variation as the starting point.  Understanding variation will lead one eventually like Deming to an expanded theory of better management that includes appreciation for a system, theory of knowledge, and psychology.  But even really understanding any one or even all of those other three will not necessarily lead you to "understanding variation".

I most recently suggested a "Project" for the DEN. Maybe it got lost in the lost messages -- who knows?

I remarked about the presentation of data by government.  
See http://www.bls.gov/

I wrote an email to the Bureau of Labor Statistics telling them that these data should be presented not only via interactive graphs but in a control chart. And sent them an example of one of the charts.

I got three very positive responses; of course, the graphs are still not done using a control chart.

I asked the DEN members to write to the BLS, too. I am asking again.

Here is my fundamental point: We will know that Deming's theory of management has really made some inroads into the transformation of government, industry and education; when data is presented in a control chart.  Until then, we have a lot of preaching to the choir. 

So what I am saying, in addition to what Steve has suggested, is let's start with this small coordinated action.  Let's all email the BLS.  Let's get the CPI, and PPI and Unemployment data presented in control charts. 

When will we see the monthly death and casualty reports about Iraq in a control charts?  It's easy enough to do. How many DEN members have done it? 

Who'll step up to plate, present that data to the DEN in a control chart and make some comentary?  

Do you think that "the Best and Brightest" running Vietnam could have "fudged" the data if it had to be presented in a control chart, do you think it would have taken so long to figure out a way out of that mess if the data were in our newspapers in control charts?

Or consider that cities all over are using crime statistics.  But are they using control charts to distinguish between special causes and systemic causes?  Will sending out the forces to an ostensible "hot spot"  which is not actually indicative of special cause variation make things better or worse?  You think police chiefs understand the funnel experiment which is just another riff on "understanding variation".

I fully understand that control chart mania can be a problem; but that is fixable problem. 

Those interested in spreading the ideas of Deming, I think, would love to have that as a problem instead the current problem -- irrelevance.

My interests have also intersected with another transformational "economic" thinker, Henry George. See for example, www.marylandlandtax.org, a site I helped put together.  "Georgists" like "Demingnistas" have the same kind of problem -- how do you spread the ideas of a  "visionary" (for lack of better term) after his/her death.  For those of you who have read Barabasi's "Linked", this is the same question which which Barabasi starts -- how is it that "christianity" spread.  [putting aside, of course, the workings of the Holy Spirit :)] 

JDK


"Prevette, Steven S" <Steven_S_Prevette@rl.gov> wrote:

>>This has been an interesting discussion.  But I have a question for each of you reading this.  What prevents you from, today, right now, starting to use one of Dr. Deming's theories in your work today?  Don't ask permission, don't wait for someone to tell you to do it, just do it.<<

>>Now, it may have to be in parallel with an existing product so you don't become "insubordinate".  But, next time you are asked for a pie chart, a table of numbers, a percent change from then to now, how about slipping in a control chart?  When faced with the crisis of the day, how about looking at the underlying process, going and visiting the workplace and talking with the involved workers?<<

>>I'll even make the offer that if it is data related, and you don't know how to make a control chart or a pareto chart, send me your data to my home (prevette@owt.com) and I'll make a chart or two for free, just to get the ball rolling.<<

>>Although we don't want to get bogged down in the crises, and do want to keep an eye on theory, I suppose I am a little surprised at the recent lack of specific questions on the DEN about - I am in this situation, here is what is happening, what could I do to improve it?<<


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