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This is Dr. W. Edwards Deming's classic work, which sets out with many down-to-earth, concrete examples the fundamental principles for achieving Quality as a business. Dr. Deming was a Ph.D. scientist, who was sent to Japan after the devastation of World War II, to help rebuild their business sector. Dr. Deming had studied at the feet of statistical giants, had practical experience in government and industry, and imparted to the Japanese many of the principles needed to best address needs of customers in a market economy. In addition, Dr. Deming was a keen observer who was ever learning himself, and consequently learned from the Japanese as to how they successfully implemented his guiding principles. "Out of the Crisis" is the product of his life-time of practical observation and hands-on consulting for many types of businesses, and was intended to stimulate the United States economy which had fallen into a Quality-slump during the 1970's and 80's.
The same, succinct, extremely well-illustrated steps that Dr. Deming lays out in this book---his "14 points" for implementing Quality in a business---apply as well today as they did when he originally wrote them. In addition, the 14 Points paint the parameters for excellent Quality-management not only of business, but also for any other organization that deals in a product or service. Dr. Deming also addresses negatives, in his "seven deadly diseases," each of which can effectively kill Quality efforts. He helps the reader to understand these roadblocks to Quality, and how to find ways around them. Any supervisor or manager of any organization that feels a strong commitment to his/her people and customers would do well to read this book. Even though one may "from the seat of one's pants" be quite a good boss, I guarantee you that reading this book will allow you to be even better than you already are. It will give you a deeper understanding and command of the "theory," and many potent examples of how to put them into concrete action in different circumstances. Dr. Deming writes with a curt, crisp, style that's not at all "academic" but rather is interesting and compelling. This book is a "must" for anyone interested in achieving Quality.
The New Economics: for Industry, Government, and Education
In The New Economics, Dr. Deming's last major work before his death in the 1990's, the 14 points and the 7 deadly diseases are extended into a broader perspective: "The System of Profound Knowledge" (SoPK). As in "Out of the Crisis," this is not an academic dissertation. This is practical, hard-nosed, "what really does work best" information taken from the cold, unforgiving world of commercial business. Many explicit, interesting examples illustrate each point. Furthermore, the case is powerfully made for how this broad perspective on Quality applies not only to business, but also to government organizations and schools of education.
Dr. Deming's SoPK is composed of four parts: 1) understanding how people really best learn; 2) understanding how people are really best motivated; 3) understanding what a "System" is and how best to improve it; and 4) understanding what "Variation" is, how it can be good and/or bad, and how to effectively document then reduce it. The four points all work together as a System themselves. Understanding this System can have profound (i.e. "very great") effects on how you deal with other people, whether they be colleagues, friends, co-workers, employees, spouses, children, or enemies. Reading this very interesting and conversationally-written book may well give you a completely different perspective on the "nuts-and-bolts" of managing day-to-day life.
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values
In this classic, autobiographical work, we follow Robert M. Pirsig and his son as they journey cross country on a motorcycle. It seems to be a vacation, a chance for Persig to come to terms with his rebellious teen age son. But it isn't. It's a desperate journey, searching for something at once very scary but also potentially liberating. It's a very strange story, in which we follow a parallel journey back to people who obsessed about knowing what things really mean. It's a trip that may end in having a smoothly-purring motorcycle...or insanity. This is a chilling, compelling adventure/mystery story---and a jarring exploration of the nature of "Quality." Will we be content with hacks tinkering with our precious motorcycle? Or will we push beyond generalities to the "nuts-and-bolts" of taking tender, careful, loving charge ourselves? This powerful work is a "must" for anyone interested in understanding and implementing Quality in their lives.
Punished by Rewards: The Trouble with Gold Stars, Incentive Plans, A's, Praise, and Other Bribes
Alfie Kohn writes a compelling book that ties-into one of Dr. Deming's recurring themes: Quality is best produced not by destructive competition, but by synergistic cooperation. Unfortunately, our school systems and market economy condition us from an early age to buy-into the idea that success comes from beating out the other people, rather than mutually building up each other. Kohn also very well describes and gives examples of another of Dr. Deming's key points: the best motivation by far---much better than external "carrots and sticks"---is when the wise manager/boss/teacher can tie the mission/lesson into the individual employee's/student's own deep personal interests.
This is not easy to do. It takes a lot of wise, mutual exploration and sensitivity. It's far easier just to dangle a competitive grade/carrot/raise/merit-promotion etc.---which while producing short-term results is extremely destructive to the overall organization and to one's ultimate AIM. How do you really best motivate people? How do you really best meet your AIM? How do you really best achieve success? One approach, burned into the psychology of our society, is by exerting command and control. The other approach---the far more difficult yet potentially far more rewarding approach---is facilitation and liberation. No, this is not "follow one's nose" education, in which the basics are missed for fluff. This is practical, achievable, results-oriented education where the student learns not only how to grudgingly survive a brutal society, but rather how to be part of building a better society. This book is a "must" read for anyone interested in getting the most out of people under your authority.
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