PDSA

["Mark Wilcox" <mark.wilcox@homecall.co.uk>]

Dear all=0D
I think we can learn alot from the very precise way in which Shewhart
articulated his ideas.  In my opinion he was a word smith par execellence=
,
though I know that many find him difficult to read. =0D
 =0D
Re, the term 'circle' is potentially misleading because it portrays a fla=
t
uni-dimensional concept, and not as Shewhart intended: "....a dynamic
scientific process of acquiring knowledge.  From this viewpoint, it might=
 be
better to show them as a spiral gradually approaching a circular path..."
(1939:45)   =0D
 =0D
Shewhart was trying to help us understand a world in flux using a scalar =
and
vector in the construction of the control chart. The control chart, the
concept of variation and systems thinking are all social constructions to
help us understand reality.  In that sense they are heuristic devices and
long may they help us in this quest. To make full use of them we must be
(more) precise and careful in the way we articulate our thinking and avoi=
d=20
positivistic and static' vocabulary.=0D
 =0D
If we start from the premise that the world is constantly changing (in fl=
ux)
 we have to find methods of understanding change and the 'variation' in t=
hat
we observe.  If we rely on static concepts to articulate what we observe =
we
will only confuse the issue.=0D
Regards=0D
Mark=0D
 =0D
 =0D
Dr Mark Wilcox=0D
19 South Lane =0D
Holmfirth=0D
West Yorkshire=0D
HD9 1HN=0D
 =0D
Tel 01484 - 686313=0D
Mob: 07931 991485=0D
mark.wilcox@homecall.co.uk