Systems Thinking29
Evan's Book Reviews: Focus of W. Edwards Deming
"Out of the Crisis" and "The new Economics"
Evan Leybourn
February 3, 2019
"Out of the Crisis" and "The new Economics"
Evan Leybourn
February 3, 2019
Deming, and his books Out of the Crisis and the New Economics, is part of what has driven my passion for Agile Business Management. While this book is over 30 years old (first published in '82) and predates the "Agile" movement, many of the concepts and recommendations that Deming makes align to the values & principles of the agile manifesto (http://agilemanifesto.org/).
This book is a call to action!
Although written in the context of American manufacturing, Out of the Crisis was a call to action for companies to address systemic problems in the way that western management operated. Where the emphasis on short-term profits, lack of forward planning, use of performance evaluation, inconsistency of management and management by numbers reduced the capability of companies to adapt, innovate and remain successful in the long-term.
Do these seem familiar? 30 years on, and these "diseases", as Deming called them, are still prevalent in many of the organisations I work with. To be successful, Deming says, managers must "learn how to change", "innovate ... products and services for the future" and "have an unshakable commitment to quality and productivity". By treating an organisation as a system, sustainable business growth can be driven through the successful management of interactions between business functions, investment in innovation and strong staff engagement.
Buy a copy: Amazon link
This should be required reading for any business leader. While this book is about 30 years old, it is as relevant today as it was in the 80’s. Too many managers and business leaders do not correctly understand the impact of waste and how to manage it. Although written in the context of American manufacturing, this is a call to action for all companies to address systemic problems in the way that western management operates.
Buy a copy: Amazon link
At the heart of Deming's approach to business transformation are his 14 points for management. Although 30 years old, these principles are still valid for any agile organisation. That is why I reference them (with permission) in my own book.
What I particularly like about these books, is that while many of his points may seem simple (and obvious to us now), Deming describes, in great detail, the failures of business and how these principles drive continuous improvement. There are some great case studies and examples of the business failure.
My final thoughts; these are great books and has remained relevant throughout the last 3 decades. Sadly I believe they will remain relevant for decades to come. If you're after an interesting read, I'd highly recommend them.
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