"It takes time"

["Anton O. Tolman, Ph.D." <ANTON@wsh.state.wy.us>]

John Seddon posted a message stating that he did not believe that the use of
the SoPK necessarily took much time and that WE have created the situation
where we state that it takes time to implement and use the time element to
rationalize failure.  Dan Swart had a wonderful reply with which I concur.  I
would just add some of the following comments of my own.

I agree that to start using the SoPK does not take much time.  For example,
probably any person with a smattering of statistical understanding could, in
an hour or less, learn the distinction between special and common causes,
gain a good grasp of variation and learn to calculate several types of
control charts.  That is not much time.  Such a person could then immediately
begin to collect data and apply it.  This does not take much time so far.
Depending upon how much data is available and its quality, results could
begin to be seen right away.  This is an important message for us to
communicate -- quality improvement can begin right away.  This also ties to
Don Wheeler's dialogue about calculating limits as soon as you have the
points rather than "waiting" until you get enough points for stable limits.
The point of the enterprise is to make a difference and this can start within
a very short period of time.  Similarly, deployment flowcharts and other
tools can be learned fairly quickly and employed right away with some success.

Although it stings, I also take to heart the admonition of John and Ana that
we on the DEN who come to it precisely to expand and deepen our knowledge not
lose sight of the many who may come seeking the practical aspects of what we
discuss.

To me, the reason that there is a *reality* that is not connected just to
rationalization of failure or to our own curiosity and intense interest in
the subject.  I think Dan's metaphor of becoming a martial arts master or a
concert violinist is a good one.  You don't need to be a master to defend
yourself using a martial art.  You don't need to be a concert violinist to
enjoy playing, but the more time you spend studying the subject, the better
you will be.  Does it take long to start using control charts?  Not at
all.  Does it take time to fully understand the complexities of systems and
variation and to understand the behavior of specific processes over time?
Yes it does.  This is developmental knowledge -- it grows over time and gains
in depth the more you use the tools.  *This* aspect of "it takes time" is
part of what *I* mean when I sometimes say that this work takes time.  You
cannot rush or transplant knowledge of processes, systems, or people.  It is
a developmental progression like learning to walk or speak.

The other part of what *I* mean when I say "it takes time" is that so much of
the full potential of SoPK to revolutionize organizations and quality is
dependent upon our human interactions.  Trust is not built in a day.
Confidence does not occur in a few minutes or hours.  So much of what I
consider the vital aspects of management that Deming talked about that cannot
be easily measured absolutely take time.  It takes time to talk issues over,
it takes time to develop teamwork and collaboration, time to create a
cohesive vision, it takes time to practice what we preach.  To achieve these
things, which I consider central to what Deming meant by quality and what I
mean by quality, takes time because we are working within human relationships
with all that entails.

However, the reality of human relationships and developmental learning aside,
the learning can begin *NOW*.  Understanding can begin quickly; persons who
have been searching for a better way can recognize it and begin to apply it
as soon as they are taught the basics.  There is no need to wait, there is no
need for eons to pass before you start doing something.  In fact, the sooner
you begin to use these tools, methods, and concepts, the sooner the
developmental pathway of learning is started, and the sooner improvement
begins to occur.

It is my hope that on the DEN we can accomodate both ends of this continuum
and can do that.  However, as part of that, I would encourage Jim in his
remarks to new subscribers or in his periodic reminders of our aim, to add
something that encourages new users to post questions and ask us again about
the basics.  Because coming back to that fertile ground helps keep all of us
sharp.

Anton Tolman, PhD, CPHQ, Psychological Services Manager &
Quality Management Coordinator, Wyoming State Hospital
P.O. Box 177, Evanston, WY  82931-0177
Anton@wsh.state.wy.us    (307) 789-3464
"All great things are done for their own sake."   -- Robert Frost
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