History of Continuous Improvement & Quality Gurus:

Here are two videos discussing the history of continuous improvement. Gurus include Deming, Juran Crosby, Ohno, Pareto and many more.

Part 1

Part 2

History of Continuous Improvement

The history of continuous improvement is marked by significant contributions from various individuals and methodologies that have shaped modern practices. Here’s a concise history highlighting key figures and their contributions:

Vilfredo Pareto (1848-1923)

Contribution: Pareto is known for the Pareto Principle, or the 80/20 Rule, which states that roughly 80% of effects come from 20% of causes. This principle has been foundational in identifying key areas for improvement by focusing on the most impactful issues.

Frederick Winslow Taylor (1856-1915)

Contribution: Taylor is considered the father of Scientific Management. His work focused on improving productivity and efficiency through systematic studies and optimization of work processes. His principles laid the groundwork for later continuous improvement methodologies.

W. Edwards Deming (1900-1993)

Contribution: Deming is renowned for his work in quality control and continuous improvement. He introduced the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle, a foundational framework for managing and improving processes. Deming’s principles, including his emphasis on statistical quality control and the importance of management involvement, significantly influenced modern quality management practices.

Joseph Juran (1904-2008)

Contribution: Juran emphasized the importance of quality management and introduced the concept of the “Juran Trilogy” (Quality Planning, Quality Control, and Quality Improvement). His work stressed that quality is a critical aspect of management and introduced the concept of “fitness for use” as a measure of quality.

Philip Crosby (1926-2001)

Contribution: Crosby is known for his philosophy of “Quality is Free” and his focus on preventing defects rather than inspecting them. His approach, which includes the “zero defects” concept and the Cost of Quality (COQ), advocates for a proactive approach to quality improvement and emphasizes that quality improvements lead to cost savings.

Taiichi Ohno (1912-1990)

Contribution: Ohno was a key figure in the development of the Toyota Production System (TPS), which introduced Lean Manufacturing principles. His work emphasized the elimination of waste (Muda), continuous improvement (Kaizen), and Just-In-Time (JIT) production. Ohno’s principles revolutionized manufacturing and supply chain management by focusing on efficiency and responsiveness.

Modern Continuous Improvement Tools

Lean and Six Sigma: Combining Lean’s waste reduction principles with Six Sigma’s focus on reducing variation and improving process quality, these methodologies have become standard in many industries for achieving continuous improvement.

Technological Advancements

Digital Transformation: Technologies such as AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics are now driving continuous improvement efforts by providing new tools for process optimization and decision-making.

Summary

The evolution of continuous improvement has been shaped by the contributions of these influential figures and their methodologies. From Taylor’s Scientific Management to Deming’s PDCA cycle, Juran’s focus on quality management, Crosby’s zero defects philosophy, and Ohno’s Lean principles, each has provided valuable insights and tools that have transformed how organizations approach process improvement and quality management. The continuous refinement of these ideas, alongside advancements in technology, continues to drive progress in the field today.

Quality Quotes from the Gurus

“For many phenomena, 80% of consequences stem from 20% of the causes.” ~Joseph M. Juran
“Quality is everyone’s responsibility.” ~W. Edwards Deming
“Original data should be presented in a way that will preserve the evidence in the original data for all the predictions assumed to be useful.” ~Walter A. Shewhart
“You can’t do kaizen just once or twice and expect immediate results. You have to be in it for the long haul.” ~Masaaki Imai
“There is one rule for the industrialist and that is: make the best quality goods possible at the lowest cost possible, paying the highest wages possible.” ~Henry Ford
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” ~Thomas Edison
“Quality is free. It’s not a gift, but it’s free. The unquality things are what cost money.” ~Philip Crosby
“A wise man adapts himself to circumstances, as water shapes itself to the vessel that contains it.” ~Chinese proverb
“Why not make the work easier and more interesting so that people do not have to sweat?” ~Taiichi Ohno, father of the Toyota Production System.
“Without a standard there is no logical basis for making a decision or taking action.” ~Joseph M. Juran
“Unless people’s motion add value they are useless toward the goal.” ~ Shigeo Shingo
“The first step is to learn how to change.” ~W. Edward Deming