RE: Quality Checks

[whidden.gk@forces.gc.ca]

Hi:

I will begin to answer the question of; “What do you mean by a "system"? What did Deming mean by a system” but in no way will it fulfill your curiosity. This will only increase it, which is a good thing. 
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For me, Ludwig von Bertaianffy said it best when he said; "A system is an entity which maintains its existence through the mutual interaction of its parts."

They say; "when a butterfly flutters its wings in one part of the world, it can eventually cause a hurricane in another."

Everything is a part of and/or connected to a larger system(s) in some or many ways.

Dr. Russell L. Ackoff and Dr. Deming both agreed that managers needed to understand their organization as a social system.

When Dr. Deming talked of a System of Profound Knowledge it was made up of:
- Appreciation of a System;
- Knowledge of Variation;
- Theory of Knowledge; and
- Knowledge of Psychology. 

Continuous improvement, in any fashion, is a non-starter without knowledge of these four parts of Profound Knowledge.

As well, I believe a lot of the debate and/or discussion around continuous improvement are a direct reflection of the level of Profound Knowledge, especially with regards to an appreciation of a system.

I would like to share these web sites with you:

http://www.systems-thinking.org/systhink/systhink.htm
http://www.managementwisdom.com/quickfixes.html
http://www.lean-service.com/6.asp

All the best,
Keith 


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