Re: System versus Individual

[sopkrules@aol.com]

I think the major differences between Dr. Deming's work and the work of Frederick W. Taylor can be boiled down to the System's and Variation.  Taylor was much more in line with adding up the parts to make the whole where Dr. Deming seems to be more in line with Sum of the parts not equal to the whole - the parts have differing/variable contributions (interrelation) to the whole.
 
Another two primary differences would be the entire component of Theory of Knowledge.  Though FWTaylor certainly was a philosopher (man who thinks) I don't think he would have fancied himself as such or at least interpretations of his work don't seem to be closely cognisant of Epistemology.
 
FWTaylor also is much more aligned with the predominant school of psychology for his day - Behaviorist.  Stimulus response is the key to behavior.  Dr. Deming is certainly in recognition of the behavioral school, but also intertwined with Gestalt and Cognitive psychology.  Maybe this is due to the predominance of behaviorism during Taylor times.
 
Though FWTaylor is portrayed as the father of the time study in a way that sort of puts him in the position of being uncaring of people - I think his work is largely misinterpreted and warped by the common sense as time goes by.  I've read some of his work (not nearly enough to be near expert) but the tone of his work is not mean or demeaning - it actually seemed quite caring.
 
Maybe it was that Dr. Deming just came from a time where the spectrum of understaning was much broader than Taylor's times.  Systems and variation are key differences for me. 
 
Bob

[Moderator's Note:  You might want to get a copy of _Deming's Profound Changes - When will the 
Sleeping Giant Awaken?_ by Delavigne & Robertson, ISBN 0-13-292690-3 for a look at Taylor and Deming
in the sme context.  ]