Role of Competition in an Environment of Collaboration & Cooperation -The Deming Way-Balaji.S.Reddie

Summary

The video script celebrates the 100th anniversary of the control chart and the profound impact of Walter Shewhart's quality control methods. It discusses Shewhart's presentation in 1924 and his invention that addressed manufacturing challenges. The script delves into Deming's admiration for Shewhart's work, emphasizing the importance of special and common cause variation in quality management. It also touches on the philosophical influence of C.I. Lewis on Deming's concept of cooperation, advocating for a cooperative approach in business rather than ruthless competition. The speaker illustrates the difference between competing with oneself for improvement and competing against others, which can misguide efforts. The script concludes by highlighting the significance of benchmarking and the upcoming main event discussing the role of competition in a collaborative environment.

Takeaways

• 🎉 The celebration of 100 years of the control chart and the impact of Walter Shewhart's work on quality.
• 🤔 The emphasis on 'discovery' rather than 'invention' when referring to Shewhart's contributions to quality control.
• 👤 Shewhart's idea of special and common cause variation applied to people, suggesting that everyone can become 'special' by raising the system to the level of the best.
• 📚 Influence from philosopher C.I. Lewis and his book 'Mere Liberty' on the concept of community and cooperation.
• 🇯🇵 Deming's preaching of cooperation in Japan in the 1950s and the difference between competition and cooperation in business.
• 🤝 The importance of understanding the difference between competing with and competing against, with an emphasis on self-improvement and cooperation.
• 🏆 The concept of the Deming Prize as an example of healthy competition with multiple winners, fostering a cooperative environment.
• 🔍 The teaching of benchmarking as a method of learning from the best practices without necessarily copying them.
• 🛠️ The role of a scorekeeper in supply chain management, focusing on continuous improvement rather than competing against others.
• 🌐 The upcoming main event discussing the role of competition in an environment of collaboration and cooperation, highlighting the teachings of W. Edwards Deming.

Q & A

What significant event in the history of quality control is being celebrated?

The significant event being celebrated is the 100th anniversary of the control chart, which has been fundamental to the field of quality for a century.

Who is Walter Shewhart and what is his contribution to quality control?

Walter Shewhart is credited with the invention of the control chart. On May 16, 1924, he presented his findings to a group of executives, explaining how he had found a remedy to the problems they were facing, thus laying the groundwork for modern quality control.

What is the concept of 'special cause variation' and 'common cause variation' in the context of quality control?

Special cause variation refers to deviations in a process that are due to identifiable and unusual events, while common cause variation is the inherent variability that occurs as part of the normal operation of a process. Shewhart's work emphasized the importance of distinguishing between these two types of variation to improve quality.

How did Dr. Deming admire and utilize Shewhart's work?

Dr. Deming admired Shewhart's work and applied his concepts of special and common cause variation not only to products but also to people, emphasizing the importance of raising the level of the entire system to make everyone 'special' in a positive sense.

What is the philosophical influence of C.I. Lewis on Dr. Deming's teachings?

C.I. Lewis, a philosopher, influenced Dr. Deming's concept of cooperation. Lewis wrote about how a community of thought leads to a community of action, which Deming then applied to the idea of cooperation within and between organizations.

What is the difference between 'competing with' and 'competing against' as discussed in the script?

Competing with refers to the idea of improving oneself and striving to be better than one's previous performance. Competing against, on the other hand, involves trying to outdo others, which can sometimes lead to negative outcomes or not focusing on one's own improvement.

How did Dr. Deming's approach to competition differ in Japan compared to America?

In Japan, Dr. Deming's teachings on cooperation and competition were well received, and the Japanese understood the difference between competing with and competing against. However, in America, there was initial resistance and misunderstanding of his concepts, as the emphasis on competition was deeply ingrained.

What is the Deming Prize and how does it relate to the concept of competition?

The Deming Prize is a competition that recognizes excellence in quality, service, and innovation. It reflects the concept of competition in the sense that it encourages organizations to strive for excellence, but it also aligns with the idea of competing with oneself to improve continuously.

What is the concept of benchmarking as discussed in the script?

Benchmarking, as discussed in the script, is the practice of comparing one's own processes and performance with the best that exists in the industry or elsewhere. It is not about copying others but about identifying principles that can be adapted and adopted to improve one's own practices.

What is the role of the 'scorekeeper' in a company as mentioned in the script?

The 'scorekeeper' in a company is responsible for monitoring and reporting on performance metrics. Their role is not to pit the company against competitors but to help the company compete with itself by setting and striving to meet or exceed its own standards of performance.