Deming

Teaching is part of a System (Part 3): Theory of Knowledge

Jim Laughton

16 Nov 2025 — 2 min read

Today, let’s maintain our analytical approach and look at another aspect of Deming’s System of Profound Knowledge (SOPK), theory of knowledge, very apt when considering teaching.

Scientific thinking would be another way of considering theory of knowledge. What do we mean by this? When we have an idea about making a change, we formulate a hypothesis, or theory, that we then test and observe the results.

Scientific thinking?!

To test an idea, we need a theory that gives context to the change we will make. We need to apply some knowledge to this.

Theory
Writing about SOPK will increase the knowledge of those reading the articles.

Change idea
Write about SOPK on Blog.

Test
Write and publish the articles on Blog.

Easy!

We missed an essential part, how will we know whether our change made an improvement?

Before sharing articles, ask questions about SOPK (baseline). After the articles, ask questions relating to readers’ knowledge on SOPK. If the articles have improved SOPK knowledge, the test scores should increase. If test scores don’t increase, revise change idea (theory) and test that. It is all learning.

Plan-Do-Study-Act Cycle

What I have described is also a key part of SOPK, the Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle. Plan what to test based on our theory, Do the test/experiment (and measure), Study the results, then Act on the results. We loop back to the next cycle of PDSA and keep going until we have tested our theories and happy with the improvements or learnings. Each cycle helps inform the next change idea, theory. Sometimes, we re-write our theory based onto results of tests. That's all fine, too.

Introduction to short series on Teaching through the lens of System of Profound Knowledge - click here

Teaching is part of a System (Part 1): Appreciation of the system - click here

Teaching is part of a System (Part 2): Knowledge of variation - click here

Teaching is part of a System (Part 4): Psychology - click here

Deming Network

Join our Deming Network hosted by the Chartered Quality Institute - click here.

Check out the LinkedIn Group for the CQI Deming Network and the YouTube channel.

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