Deming
Dr. W. Edwards Deming spent many years developing his thinking, ultimately compiling it under the moniker of the System of Profound Knowledge (SOPK). The four elements comprising his SOPK are: * Appreciation for a system * Understanding variation * Theory of Knowledge * Psychology of change Deming’s SOPK can be applied to many
Deming
“A manager understands and conveys to his people the meaning of a system. He explains the aims of the system. He teaches his people to understand how the work of the group supports these aims.” W. Edwards Deming, The New Economics for Industry, Government, Education, and Health Care. We’ve
Deming
Exciting news, Metallica are performing in Doha at the end of November, part of the F1. Plus you might have noticed I’m weaving in musical references to my articles, whenever I can. Today’s Readwise highlight is about seeking a target and the destruction that follows! Metaphorically speaking. Targets
Continual Improvement
I wonder how many of us list this amongst our all-time favourite quotes? There are times not apologising is acceptable! Improvement only comes about through the process of learning. Our knowledge evolves over time. What we knew at one point in our lives will have changed. Why apologise for
Ackoff
In general, I’m not a huge fan of Toyota cars. I did once own a silver Toyota MR2 Roadster, which was fun to drive, drop the roof during a British Summer, even in the Winter with the heaters on full blast. I actually wish I could have bought a
Quality Improvement
I’m fortunate. Training as an Improvement Advisor (IA) with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement was a privilege. I hold the time learning from inspiring teachers as the beacon in all I do - an enlightenment. More so for my deepening learning and appreciation of Dr. W. Edwards Deming. Creating momentum
Deming
I’ve no idea, either! At 7:31am on 11th August 2025, I received an email with the subject ‘Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence’. First thought: gosh, it has been ten years, hasn’t it? Second thought: how lovely of 'them' to remember. Who has been so thoughtful?
Deming
Dr. W. Edwards Deming would say by improving quality, value will be increased. This might take a ‘chain reaction’ for value to be realised by both customer and creator. It’s not just about quality of a product or process, but what the customer values. Novelty is Innovation? ‘Continuous Value
Quality Improvement
Semantics are critical, in the same way Operational Definitions are critical. In fact, they are essentially the same. What are the Operational Definitions of Continual versus Continuous when applied to Improvement. Dr. W. Edwards Deming was clear on this. That’s why it’s important we should reflect this when
Quality Improvement
Improvement for the sake of the tools! It’s very easy to focus on tools, collecting data without reflecting on what the gap in performance or the problem we are trying to solve. Don't start sawing until you've measured twice Every process can be improved, once
Deming
An organisation that approaches problem-solving using the scientific approach, a quality culture, is a learning organisation. Peter Senge, referred to learning organisations in his seminal work, The Fifth Discipline, back in 1990. I was lucky to read this back in 1999, unrelated to my discipline of clinical medicine at
Business
In part one, I introduced the theory used to logically support the use of annual performance appraisals. 'Theory X' and how employees are generally not to be trusted, need controlling by managers. How does that make you feel as an appraisee? Make you want to perform? Appraisal quick