Filosofía de la Gestión de Calidad Total de W. Edwards Deming

W. Edwards Deming: The Philosophy of Total Quality Management

Dr. W. Edwards Deming was a renowned statistician who played a significant role in shaping the world of business and industry through his advocacy for quality management. Born on October 14, 1900, in Sioux City, Iowa, Deming spent much of his life promoting an approach to management that he dubbed "Total Quality Management," or TQM.

Background

Deming is often credited with reviving the fortunes of Japanese industries after World War II. He was first invited to Japan in 1946 by the Occupation authorities to help reform the devastated country's economy. During his time in Japan, he introduced the concept of statistical quality control to manufacturers and helped establish the Japanese Union of Scientists and Engineers (JUSE).

In 1950, Deming returned to the United States, disheartened by the lack of progress in applying statistical quality control principles to American businesses. However, he soon found himself in demand again, thanks to numerous companies seeking advice on how to compete with Japan's growing industrial might.

14 Points for Transformation

To guide his clients, Deming outlined a set of 14 key principles, known as Deming's 14 Points for Transformation. These principles aimed to create a culture of continuous improvement and better alignment between management and worker interests. Here’s a summary of Deming's 14 points:

1. Create constancy of purpose: Management must maintain a clear vision and sense of direction for the company and its employees.
2. Adopt the new philosophy: Embrace Deming's philosophies and principles of management.
3. Cease dependency on mass inspection: Rely less on inspections to detect errors and instead seek to prevent them.
4. Move toward a single supplier for any one item: Focus on establishing reliable partnerships with suppliers for better quality control.
5. Improve constantly and forever: Continuously strive for improvements in products and services.
6. Train on the job: Encourage on-the-job training to develop skilled workers.
7. Establish leadership and supervisions: Empower leaders and supervisors to make decisions and manage their domains effectively.
8. Drive out fear: Foster trust and open communication to eliminate fear-based decision making.
9. Break down barriers between departments: Encourage cross-departmental collaboration and information sharing.
10. Eliminate numerical goals: Replace quantitative targets with qualitative goals that encourage holistic success.
11. Eliminate management by objectives: Transform the company culture to focus on serving customers rather than achieving specific objectives.
12. Remove barriers to pride of workmanship: Allow workers to take pride in their tasks and contribute to product quality.
13. Institute education and self-improvement: Invest in ongoing personal and corporate growth.
14. Transform the company culture: Make these principles pervasive throughout the organization, involving every employee.

These principles aim to instill a culture of quality improvement, driven by a desire to meet and exceed customer expectations.

PDCA Cycle

One of Deming's most influential contributions is the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle. This iterative approach encourages organizations to plan, execute, evaluate, and adjust their operations to continuously improve their processes and achieve better outcomes. By incorporating this cycle into daily activities, companies can foster a mindset of continuous improvement and address any potential problems proactively.

Legacy

Deming's ideas continue to shape modern management practices worldwide. His approach to quality management has inspired countless businesses and organizations to transform their operations and focus on delivering superior value to their customers.

In conclusion, Dr. W. Edwards Deming's powerful vision of Total Quality Management continues to inspire managers everywhere. By embracing his 14 points and the PDCA cycle, organizations can develop a culture of continuous improvement that aligns with customer needs and drives sustainable success.