The Battle of the Gurus

CASE STUDY 1.1: The Battle of the Gurus

Grantham University

1. Prepare a report summarizing the two quality systems and showing where they are similar and where they differ.

Dr. W. Edward Deming’s quality system shows that it is management's responsibility to improve the system, in order for workers to be able to do their jobs more effectively. He claims that workers are only responsible for 10 to 20 percent of quality problems in a factory and the remaining 80 to 90 percent are things under management’s control. Deming argued that higher quality leads to higher productivity, which, in turn, leads to long-term competitive strength. The theory is that improvements in quality leads to lower costs and higher productivity because it results in less rework, fewer mistakes, fewer delays, and better use of time and materials. With better quality and lower prices, a company can achieve a greater market share and thus stay in business, providing more jobs.

Deming’s system requires a total organization cultural transformation. He utilizes his famous fourteen points as a framework for quality and productivity improvement. Deming's quality methods centered on systematically tallying product defects, analyzing their causes, correcting the causes, and recording the effects of the corrections on subsequent product quality as defects were prevented. He taught that it is less costly in the long-run to get things done right the first time then fix them later.

Deming’s fourteen points:

1. Create constancy of purpose toward improvement of product and service.

2. Adopt the new philosophy.

3. Cease dependence on mass inspection.

4. End the practice of awarding business on price tag alone.

5. Improve constantly and forever the system of production and service.

6. Institute training.

7. Institute leadership.

8. Drive out fear.

9. Break down barriers between staff areas.

10. Eliminate slogans, exhortations, and targets for the...