Our continuing ode to Dr. W. Edwards Deming and his book titled “Out of the Crisis” summarizing his famous 14-point management philosophy.
Deming point #3 – Stop depending on inspections
Inspections are inefficient and costly. Inspection at the end of the process occurs after having already made defective product and the reality is just how much bad product did you make. Inspections do not improve quality; they merely find the lack of quality. Don’t just find what went wrong in this narrow context, eliminate all the possible wrongs up front through planning and analysis. Up front, build quality into the process from start to finish. If you use in-process inspection, do not just assess physical attributes for acceptability. Use statistical control methods that provide feedback on the entire process (equipment, materials, operator) to provide feedback that the plan is working.
More blog posts about Deming’s 14 points:
#1- Create a constant purpose toward improvement.
#4-Use a single supplier for any one item
#5-Improve constantly and forever
#6-Use training throughout the work cycle
#9-Break down barriers between departments
#10-Get rid of unclear slogans
#11-Eliminate management by objectives
#12-Remove barriers to pride of workmanship