In 2005, I had the pleasure of participating in a training program at the Opel plant (now part of the PSA Group) in Gliwice. During one of the sessions, a quality engineer recommended that we read Four Days with Dr. Deming: A Strategy for Modern Methods of Management by William J. Latzko and David M. Saunders.
This article provides a brief review of the book.
Dr. Edwards Deming is well-known to those in the automotive industry. He is the creator of the PDCA cycle, which is also referenced in the IATF standard (section 0.3.2) and forms the basis for methodologies such as Kaizen and Quick Response Quality Control (QRQC).
Deming significantly influenced the quality management field, transforming approaches with his introduction of statistical process control, first implemented in Japanese manufacturing plants. Ironically, people did not widely appreciate his work in the U.S. until the 1980s, by which time Japanese products had gained a significant competitive advantage due to their superior quality.
Four Days with Dr. Deming β A Unique Book
Unlike many other publications, Four Days with Dr. Deming is presented in an unconventional format, resembling an album. Following the adage that a picture is worth a thousand words, the book features numerous visualizations, charts, and graphs to aid reader comprehension (based on the Polish edition).
The structure is also unique, largely based on lectures given by W. Edwards Deming during four-day seminars with American production plant directors.
The narrative is divided into three unconventional parts:
- statements by Dr. Deming addressing the reader directly,
- commentary from the authors explaining the issues further,
- a fictional lecturer.
These various forms of presentation aim to enhance the multidimensionality of the content, recognizing that different readers absorb material in different ways.
Quality starts with Management
Dr. Deming introduces quality management as an area where management should be initially involved, rather than expecting quality to apply only to production. This concept extends to education, suggesting that student assessment methods could mirror production processes.
Before delving into statistical control, Four Days with Dr. Deming covers the foundational concepts of systems knowledge, psychology, and the theories of knowledge and variation.
The book also emphasizes controlling the production process rather than just the finished product. Effective process supervision is crucial, and Dr. Deming argues that process control is more beneficial than finished product control in terms of reaction time and cost.
Taguchi, Shewhart and Others
A notable strength of Four Days with Dr. Deming is its use of practical examples, including the Taguchi loss function for selecting component suppliers and the Shewhart cycle for learning processes.
The book also addresses broader topics beyond quality management, such as leadership, employee training, and overcoming obstacles in operational and strategic activities. It provides practical insights and statistical tools to enhance organizational efficiency.
Readers will find valuable information that can lead to a new perspective on quality management.
Dariusz Kowalczyk
