Deming’s 14 Points Continuous Improvement, Prevention of Defects and the SDSA and PDSA cycles Essay Example

Deming’s 14 Points: Continuous Improvement, Prevention of Defects and the SDSA and PDSA cycles Essay Deming’s 14 Points for Leadership in the Western World is a well rounded guide for achieving excellence in management. The 14 points or guidelines are applicable to any domain or industry. One of the key insights offered by Deming is how a high level of quality (or even a zero-defect production record) does not pre-empt the scope for improvement. The very first point talks about creating a â€Å"constancy of purpose toward improvement of product and service†. This indicates how improvement is an ongoing engagement that is detached from prevailing production quality. Deming makes clear that ‘defect detection’ and ‘defect prevention’ are preludes to the continuous improvement process. An optimal defect detection system would not operate on the misplaced assumption that increasing the quantity of tests (mass inspection) would automatically â€Å"decrease the variability of the quality characteristics of products and services.† Likewis e, a robust defect prevention system would not consider ‘zero defects’ as the ultimate hallmark of quality. Instead it would take into account the concept of ‘entropy’ in the life-cycle of a product and device methods for mitigating it. Continuous Improvement is basically looked at as the â€Å"ongoing reduction of process (unit-to-unit) variation, even within specification limits†. It is impinged on the fact that by reducing unit-to-unit variation around the nominal value the incurred production costs are also reduced. The SDSA Cycle stands for Standardize-Do-Study-Act, which is a technique for standardization of a process. The first key step toward standardization is identification of â€Å"best practice methods with key indicators of process performance†. Consensus among employees involved in the process is important. Hence a commonly agreed flowchart of the process is followed by all to ensure consistency. In the second stage (Do) trials and experiments are run on the standardized best practice methods. Following this, in the Study stage of the SDSA Cycle, the efficacy of the best practice methods are evaluated through an analysis of key parameters. Finally, in the Act stage of the cycle, managers attempt to ‘formalize’ the best practice methods that have stood the scrutiny of trials. But in order to materialize and enhance the best practice methods thus formalized the management will have to follow through the PDSA cycle. We will write a custom essay sample on Deming’s 14 Points: Continuous Improvement, Prevention of Defects and the SDSA and PDSA cycles specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Deming’s 14 Points: Continuous Improvement, Prevention of Defects and the SDSA and PDSA cycles specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Deming’s 14 Points: Continuous Improvement, Prevention of Defects and the SDSA and PDSA cycles specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The PDSA cycle stands for Plan-Do-Study-Act. Its purpose is to aid the management in â€Å"improving and innovating performance†. In the planning stage, the formalized best practice methods developed using the SDSA cycle are reviewed. An attempt is made to ameliorate the methods formalized during the SDSA cycle. Often it results in making small adjustments to the flowchart from the SDSA cycle. Thus process improvement plans are laid out by the team. The three possible methods are: 1. Statistical analysis of key indicator data; 2. Benchmarking the process against another organization’s process; 3. Utilizing a list of tried and proven improvement concepts. The next step in PDSA is Do, whereby the outcomes of the plan are measured. In the subsequent stage (Study) the measurements thus obtained are studied from key indicators. Finally, in the Act stage, requisite corrective actions are taken. Reference: Edwards, Deming’s Theory of Management, Chapter 2, Part One, Foundations of Quality Management, pp. 38-50. Deming’s 14 Points for Leadership in the Western World is a well rounded guide for achieving excellence in management. The 14 points or guidelines are applicable to any domain or industry. One of the key insights offered by Deming is how a high level of quality (or even a zero-defect production record) does not pre-empt the scope for improvement. The very first point talks about creating a â€Å"constancy of purpose toward improvement of product and service†. This indicates how improvement is an ongoing engagement that is detached from prevailing production quality. Deming makes clear that ‘defect detection’ and ‘defect prevention’ are preludes to the continuous improvement process. An optimal defect detection system would not operate on the misplaced assumption that increasing the quantity of tests (mass inspection) would automatically â€Å"decrease the variability of the quality characteristics of products and services.† Likewis e, a robust defect prevention .

Free Essays on Themes Of Freedom In Chopin’s “The Story Of An Hour”

now reflected freedom or breaking from bondage. At the beginning of the story, Louise Mallard has just learned of her husband’s death. Chopin describes Louise as a woman who is â€Å"afflicted with heart trouble† and not capable of handling news of death. Her sister, Josephine, and her husband’s friend, Richards, both expect her reaction to cause problems with her heart. These lines reflect how she is viewed in her household. Chopin hints that she is treated as a prisoner, not allowed to enjoy life because of her ailments. From the very beginning, the reader gets the idea that Mrs. Mallard was oppressed in her marriage. When the news of Mr. Mallard’s death finally reaches Louise, she is described as not reacting as many women would. â€Å"She wept as once, with a sudden, wild abandonment† and then retired to her room â€Å"when the storm of grief had passed.† The quick passing of her grief is something that surprises her. Louise begins to reflect upon her situation and rationalizes her reaction. Here the story changes tone and become happy. Almost directly to the reader, Chopin manages to relate her views on relationships. While coming to terms with her situation, Louise bluntly states that â€Å"there would be no one to live for during those coming years; she would live for herself. There would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men... Free Essays on Themes Of Freedom In Chopin’s â€Å"The Story Of An Hour† Free Essays on Themes Of Freedom In Chopin’s â€Å"The Story Of An Hour† Kate Chopin’s â€Å"The Story of an Hour† is a short, yet complex piece. In only a few paragraphs, Chopin manages to describe the final hour or Mrs. Louise Mallard while giving the reader hidden details about her life. This story is overflowing with symbolism. The most prominent theme that I perceived was a longing to be free. Chopin uses words that would that would suggest imprisonment in the first few paragraphs of the story. After Mrs. Mallard has reflected upon her situation and realized that she was no longer married, the descriptive words now reflected freedom or breaking from bondage. At the beginning of the story, Louise Mallard has just learned of her husband’s death. Chopin describes Louise as a woman who is â€Å"afflicted with heart trouble† and not capable of handling news of death. Her sister, Josephine, and her husband’s friend, Richards, both expect her reaction to cause problems with her heart. These lines reflect how she is viewed in her household. Chopin hints that she is treated as a prisoner, not allowed to enjoy life because of her ailments. From the very beginning, the reader gets the idea that Mrs. Mallard was oppressed in her marriage. When the news of Mr. Mallard’s death finally reaches Louise, she is described as not reacting as many women would. â€Å"She wept as once, with a sudden, wild abandonment† and then retired to her room â€Å"when the storm of grief had passed.† The quick passing of her grief is something that surprises her. Louise begins to reflect upon her situation and rationalizes her reaction. Here the story changes tone and become happy. Almost directly to the reader, Chopin manages to relate her views on relationships. While coming to terms with her situation, Louise bluntly states that â€Å"there would be no one to live for during those coming years; she would live for herself. There would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men...

Commercial Property Development in London Essay

Commercial Property Development in London - Essay Example A report by Ball, Lizieri, and Macgregor (2012, p.41) indicate that the city has witnessed a faster growth of commercial properties in the recent past. In this regard, the report showed that many property developers have been targeting central London as the best place to put up a commercial property. Nevertheless, this growth in commercial property, in London, is taking place at the backdrop of the recent financial crisis that did affect the U.K. adversely. Research has shown that the recent financial crisis of 2007/2008 did affect all the economic sectors in the nation including the property market, which dropped to an all-time low as many people could not afford to invest in commercial properties due to lack of enough funds required for the project. In fact, the U.K. is still struggling to recover from the effects of the financial crisis, by introducing measures aimed at improving the state of the economy such as opening up the country for investments. O’Kelly (2012) noted t hat the economy of the U.K. shrunk by about 4.9% in 2009 due to the effects of the 2007/2008 financial crisis. In fact, the economy of the U.K. has not been able to experience any significant improvement since then. Only recently, in 2012, did the economy registered a growth rate of about 1%. However, economists remain positive that the economy is on the right course and is likely to enjoy significant growth over the next few years. However, as earlier stated, central London has overcome all these odds and has been experiencing increased growth in commercial property development over the last six years.