W. Edwards Deming

William Edwards Deming was one of the most influential figures in the history of management and quality control philosophy. He was an American statistician and business consultant who, over the course of his long career, had a tremendous influence on the way businesses operate by helping to develop the practice of total quality management. He was perhaps best known for his work with the Japan Union of Scientists and Engineers and for his 14 Points for Management.

Deming was born on October 14, 1900 in Sioux City, Iowa. He developed an early interest in mathematics, which he incorporated into his studies at the College of Engineering at University of Wyoming. He was later awarded a Ph.D. in mathematical physics from Yale University in 1928. During the 1940s and 1950s, Deming worked as a consultant for the U.S. Census Bureau, developing complex statistical models to measure consumer behavior.

At the same time, Deming developed an interest in quality control and management. He wrote a number of books, including Statistical Quality Control (1945) and Statistical Adjustment of Data (1948). These works focused on the use of statistical techniques to measure and improve quality in industrial settings. Deming believed that quality should be addressed in the larger context of an organization’s overall management system. He believed that management practices such as management-by-objectives, job analysis, and employee involvement were necessary to effectively manage an organization’s resources.

In 1950, Deming was invited to Japan to share his theories to help the country rebuild its industry following World War II. He consulted with both private companies and the government, and developed his famous “14 Points for Management.” These points focused on practices such as constantly striving for improvement, reducing reliance on inspection, encouraging creativity and innovation, eliminating fear, embracing education and training, and understanding the importance of quality.

By the 1960s, Deming’s theories had become well known in Japan, where they were embraced by companies like Toyota and Honda. By the late 1970s, the Japanese economy had become a global powerhouse, thanks in large part to total quality management principles.

Deming's influence continued to grow, and he became widely acknowledged as the father of the quality movement. He was awarded the United States Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1987, and the National Medal of Technology in 1988. He was also given honorary degrees from institutions such as Harvard University and the University of Wyoming. His principles and methods remain fundamental to business practice today.

Deming died in 1993, but his legacy lives on in the form of total quality management, which is widely used in business operations worldwide. By emphasizing the importance of quality and efficiency, Deming revolutionized the world of business and laid the foundation for a more prosperous, productive corporate environment.