PDSA - Theory etc

["Gordon Hall" <g.hall@dln.org.uk>]

John Barbor wrote:
ISO 9001:2000 or any other framework for doing quality management can be =
a good starting point, but it has nothing to do with Deming or =
scientific management unless the theory implied by the framework is used =
as a base for building more theory.
  =20
 " Building more theory" and setting up foundations for learning. In the =
preface of TNE Deming says "The aim of this book is to start the reader =
on the road to knowledge and to create a yearning for more knowledge"

And later in the book he says "knowledge is built on theory."  I =
therefore interpret  Deming's wish was for us to be continually =
learning, continually evolving - but our learning should be structured =
round the discipline of scientific method.

When comparing Taylor with Deming - a subject I am not too keen to get =
involved in - should we not be comparing Taylor's theories, not methods, =
with those of Deming? For example Taylor believed we could "motivate" =
people - while Deming, McGregor Kohn etc believe that people come to =
work already motivated.

I am not criticising Taylor - he was a highly intelligent man of his =
time - and had he lived he would surely have been sufficient aware of =
the basis of his thinking to be able to challenge it in light of current =
research.

Is not the challenge for us, and our colleagues in "management," to know =
the theories we are applying?- and then be prepared to challenge them in =
light of scientific research.


Gordon Hall
The Deming Learning Network
Aim: Continual organisational improvement through the application of =
learning
Tel: 00 44 1358 721258
e-mail: g.hall@dln.org.uk
web site: www.dln.org.uk