Book Reviews

Out of the Crisis

By W. Edwards Deming

Review by Steve Buchwald, CIRM

This book is a thought provoking, quality inspiring book written by someone who knows what he is talking about and doesn't mince words to let you know it. While that may sound like a negative comment it isn't. Deming has a lot of good simple ideas and although most of us have already heard them it is good to revisit these ideas again.

Let me list a few of Deming's 14 points:

Point #1
Create constancy of purpose.

Point #13
Institute a vigorous program of education.

As Deming says on page #18 -- "Best efforts are not sufficient....think of the CHAOS that would come if everyone did his best not knowing what to do...."(or) "...The lack of cooperation if everyone knew what to do and did HIS BEST..."

Point #8
Drive out fear.

As Deming says on page #202--- "People on the job can not work effectively if they dare not enquire into the purpose of the work that they do, and dare not offer suggestions for simplification...."

Point #14
Put everybody in the company to work to accomplish the transformation.

You can start to work to accomplish the transformation yourself by taking advantage of the all the great benefits your APICS membership offers.