Deming's 14 points
W Edwards Deming was an American statistician who was credited with the rise of Japan as a manufacturing nation, and with the invention of Total Quality Management (TQM). Deming went to Japan just after the War to help set up a census of the Japanese population. While he was there, he taught 'statistical process control' to Japanese engineers - a set of techniques which allowed them to manufacture high-quality goods without expensive machinery. In 1960 he was awarded a medal by the Japanese Emperor for his services to that country's industry.

Deming returned to the US and spent some years in obscurity before the publication of his book "Out of the crisis" in 1982. In this book, Deming set out 14 points which, if applied to US manufacturing industry, would he believed, save the US from industrial doom at the hands of the Japanese.

Although Deming does not use the term Total Quality Management in his book, it is credited with launching the movement. Most of the central ideas of TQM are contained in "Out of the crisis". Dr.Deming's famous 14 Points, originally presented in Out of the Crisis, serve as management guidelines. The points cultivate a fertile soil in which a more efficient workplace, higher profits, and increased productivity may grow. 1. Create and communicate to all employees a statement of the aims and purposes of the company. 2. Adapt to the new philosophy of the day; industries and economics are always changing. 3. Build quality into a product throughout production. 4. End the practice of awarding business on the basis of price tag alone; instead, try a long-term relationship based on established loyalty and trust. 5. Work to constantly improve quality and productivity. 6. Institute on-the-job training. 7. Teach and institute leadership to improve all job functions. 8. Drive out fear; create