Understanding the Evolution of the Shewhart Cycle through LinkedIn Conversations
Several Lean and Deming followers discussed Deming's thoughts on PDCA versus PDSA based on a LinkedIn post. Mike Rother, Jeffrey Liker, and many Lean and Deming followers participated in the discussion.
The Shewhart Cycle, also known as PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) and PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act), is fundamental to continuous improvement and quality management. These cycles are crucial in driving systematic improvements and promoting organizational learning culture. A recent thought-provoking LinkedIn post by Dr.M. sparked an insightful conversation among professionals, shedding light on the intricacies of these cycles and their practical applications.
Dr.M's LinkedIn Post
Dr.M, a GEMBA practitioner specializing in TPS, Lean, TQM, TPM, and Kaizen, shared an insightful post asserting that W. Edwards Deming never fully embraced the PDCA cycle. According to Dr. M, Deming felt that the term "Check" implied holding back and was a corruption of the original Shewhart Cycle. Instead, Deming advocated for the PDSA cycle, emphasizing "Study" over "Check" to encourage deeper learning and continuous improvement.
See my post on the History of PDSA
Key Insights from the Comments
The post ignited a lively discussion, drawing comments from various industry experts. Here are some of the key points that everyone made.
Several commenters provided historical insights into the evolution of the Shewhart Cycle. They highlighted how Deming's modifications were rooted in the scientific method and aimed at fostering a more profound understanding and improvement of processes.
Professionals shared their experiences using PDCA and PDSA in different industries. These discussions underscored the real-world effectiveness of these cycles and how they are tailored to fit specific organizational needs.
A recurring theme was the debate over the semantics of "Check" vs. "Study." Commenters argued that while "Check" focuses on evaluation, "Study" promotes a more in-depth analysis of results, leading to meaningful improvements.
Notable Contributors and Their Perspectives
Jeffrey Liker: Liker emphasized the continuous improvement philosophy underpinning the cycles. He argued that the fundamental principles behind PDCA and PDSA are more critical than the specific terms used.
Valtteri Hirsi: Hirsi highlighted the importance of understanding systems and the interconnected nature of actions and results. He pointed out that "Study" allows for a broader synthesis of information, leading to a better understanding of systemic interactions.
Mike Rother: Rother discussed the role of scientific thinking in daily work. He noted that PDCA and PDSA serve as frameworks for practicing scientific thinking, essential for continuous improvement.
Charles Meyer Richter: Richter raised the question of maintaining an audit trail in PDCA/PDSA cycles. He shared his experience using detailed documentation to track progress and ensure accountability in continuous improvement projects.
Broader Implications and Reflections
Impact on Modern Practices: The LinkedIn discussion reflects current trends in quality management and continuous improvement. It shows how professionals adapt these cycles to modern organizational contexts, ensuring they remain relevant and practical.
Philosophical Reflections: The conversation delved into broader philosophical reflections on continuous improvement. Commenters agreed that while tools and models are essential, fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptation is crucial for long-term success.
Conclusion
The LinkedIn post by DrM. and the ensuing discussion provide valuable insights into the evolution and application of the Shewhart Cycle. By emphasizing "Study" over "Check," Deming's PDSA cycle encourages deeper learning and more meaningful improvements. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding these cycles' historical context, practical applications, and philosophical underpinnings.
As continuous improvement practitioners, it is essential to engage in such discussions and reflect on how these principles can be applied in our work. By fostering a culture of learning and adaptation, we can drive meaningful improvements and achieve long-term success.
Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences with PDCA and PDSA in the comments below. Let us continue this conversation and learn from each other's insights! Here’s the original post.
Recent Deming Posts
Michael Pattinson wrote an article that examines a journey in India that highlights the unpredictable nature of life and uses this experience to explore the broader theme of the illusion of control and the importance of adaptability and resilience in leadership.
https://neuromantics.substack.com/p/embracing-uncertainty-the-illusion
The Rosetta Code discusses W. Edwards Deming's funnel experiment, demonstrating the impact of different management strategies on system performance. The article suggests applying these rules to a set of data and then calculating the mean and standard deviation of the resulting positions for each rule to assess their effectiveness.
https://rosettacode.org/wiki/Deming%27s_funnel
The Knowledge Academy introduces the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) Cycle as a powerful tool for continuous improvement in various business sectors, highlighting its origins, key phases, and practical applications. The article also provides practical examples and underscores the cycle’s benefits, including continuous improvement, structured problem-solving, and increased employee engagement.
https://www.theknowledgeacademy.com/blog/what-is-pdca/
In a LinkedIn post, I examine David Bowles' warning that continuing current practices may force them to reveal significant IT mismanagement, potentially exposing numerous issues. This disclosure could not only attract intense scrutiny from the IT community but also lead to legal actions due to customer mistreatment over the past five years.
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7226917401139830784/
Christopher R. Chapman added features to his Red Bead Experiment Simulator to up its value for learning about variation and to help quickly analyze time series data.
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7226926822939058177/
References
If you would like to read more about the evolution of the Shewhart Cycle, visit Oventhal's blog.
