Demings's Fourteen Points map road to quality

摘要

The Fourteen Points concept developed by Dr. W. Edwards Denting helps transform a company's management practices. The points are based upon Deming's recognition that management methods are more important than tools. Many organizations ignore the Fourteen Points because management is not comfortable with their rigid requirements. However, total quality is a transformation over time, and the Fourteen Points can help a company obtain total quality. 1 he first or the fourteen Points focuses on creating constancy of purpose for improving product and service. Management is responsible for handling short-term daily problems and planning for an organization's long-term vitality. Too often long-term plans and directions are neglected. Deming's quality chain points out that quality, rather than profit, should be the primary focus. If quality is stressed, costs will be reduced and productivity will improve. Profit is a result, and requires management's commitment to quality. An organization's purpose can take the form of a vision or mission statement. Employees can relate to the subjects of quality and service to the customer. Stressing profits does not rally employees because it is a result and not a means to achieve a result. A mission should be a simple statement that all employees can understand. Subgroups within an organization can develop missions which relate to the corporate mission. All plans should be working documents that guide daily decisions.