Re: System vs Individual

[BCoop1116@aol.com]

Hi All,
 
Some of my favorite writers on the subject of Dr. Deming have written  
recently about system versus individuals.
 
I have interacted with Dr. Russell AcKoff a number of times in the last  
three years and I think his writings on systems is the most germane.  He is  also 
part of the Deming Library series of tapes.
 
When I read all this interesting material about measurement, individuals,  
Deming strong points etc I am always intrigued.  I asked Dr. Deming one  time 
about something that I quoted from some one at his seminar.  He as  usual did 
not argue of disagree all he said was "people hear what they want to  hear."  
 
I am beginning to more strongly agree with Dr. Ackoff in which he states  "we 
can only understand a system when we understand all the interactions between  
the parts"  We love to measure the parts and then extrapolate that into a  
whole.  Dr. Deming often told me his theories were a system and if you  separate 
them they will not work or hold together."  Dr. Ackoff says it  another way 
when he states "if you take something apart it loses its essential  
properties".  That has great meaning to me when people want to talk about  the parts.
 
Until we understand the purpose of the system all we can hope to influence  
is outputs after they occur.  I do not have an answer for all this except  to 
say I continue to look and learn in the hope that someday it will all become  
clear to me.  I think that is called an epiphany.  So far that has not  
occurred.
 
Keep writing.  I read all your posts and they all help me in further  trying 
to understand the true meaning of this great man.
 
Bill Cooper