W. Edwards Deming, renowned scientist, quality and management
thinker passed away in December 1993. Technology, globalization
and financial crisis have since dramatically altered the
economic and political landscape. What possible relevance could
Deming have in the 21st century? The answer is plenty. With the
failure of companies, governments and economies all around us it
is becoming clear that now, more than ever, Deming’s wisdom is
sorely needed. To understand Deming we need to do a quick review
of his contributions, history and legacy. No other management
thinker, with the possible exception of Deming’s teacher and
friend, Walter Shewhart, can claim to have dramatically impacted
so many companies and even whole nations. We will cite 4 major
cases where Deming or Shewhart had a profound positive impact on
companies and whole nations. The Deming/Shewhart Management
Legacy Exhibit A. In the early part of the Twentieth Century as
the United States was industrializing, quality and management
were areas of crit