THE DEMING INSTITUTE BLOG

The Golden Gate Bridge in the fog with a single pelican flying over.

The Joy and Irony of a Leadership Career

In this guest post, Dr. Doug Stilwell reflects on his long career in education and shares the impact of Dr. Deming’s teachings on his work.
Dr. Deming in his 80s, standing with his back to the audience writing on a green chalkboard. He is wearing a blue sports coat, has a bald head, and wears glasses.

A Beginner’s Guide to Control Charts

The Deming philosophy is like an onion: it’s got layers. I’ve been studying the System of Profound Knowledge and all it entails for almost 2 years, and I’m at layer 4 or 5, I think. I love the aspects I understand and how my thinking has changed. Plus, I’m constantly learning new things that shift […]
Old telephones in several colors lined up horizontally.

If Only I Knew Then What I Know Now

(Guest post from Edward Martin Baker) As we get older, more experienced, and maybe wiser, some of us may reflect on what we could have done differently when we were younger - if we knew then what we know now. I have recently been reflecting on my teaching of introductory statistics when I was a graduate school teaching fellow in the distant past.
Large red industrial fishing ship sinking from the back of the boat with the front end sticking up in the air.

Best Efforts on a Sinking Ship

In this guest post by Ruthie Russo, she uses the metaphor of bailing out a sinking ship to show how traditional improvement efforts in education are missing the big picture - and harming students and teachers in the process.

Kevin Goes to the Tugboat Evergreen Conference

Last year, our Executive Director Kevin Cahill spoke at the Tugboat Institute's Evergreen Conference where he discussed his grandfather's philosophy, his impact on the world, and how modern businesses can grow and thrive by putting people first.
Diagram of connections inside a computer

Deming Systems Thinking and Cyberwarfare

How does Deming apply to the cybersecurity world? This guest post by Brian Barnier shows how systems thinking can help cybersecurity professionals outthink the enemy. (This is part 2 of a 2-part series.)

Deming for Ransomware and Cyberwarfare? Yes!

In this guest post, Brian Barnier takes the Deming philosophy into the cyber security world. Inappropriate methods applied to cyber security problems are like flaws in a building’s engineering: they set people up for failure and burnout. Deming’s System of Profound Knowledge is the antidote, but few understand how it applies to cybersecurity.
Looking through a lens that has a clear/crisp image of a dirt road leading into the distance, surrounded by a blurry image of the landscape photo beyond the lens.

Taking Deming into the 21st Century – and Beyond

Introducing a unique new way to learn Deming online! DemingNEXT offers exclusive courses designed by Deming and adult learning experts.
Various charts hung on a white board.

The Insanity of Extrinsic Motivation

In this post, Doug Stilwell shares the story of his friend's annual sales competition and asks: Is everyone motivated to work harder if they might win a trip to Hawaii? Does the competition result in more overall sales for the company?
Close up of a white woman's face with her mascara smeared to the sides of her eyes, holding a white piece of paper in front of her with a line drawing of a smiley mouth. The effect is a woman who is very unhappy but faking a smile for others.

Quiet Quitting From a Deming Perspective

The phenomenon of "quiet quitting" (also called "employee disengagement") is frustrating leaders and managers across industries. But looking at the problem through the Deming lens means finding workable solutions that can strengthen relationships.
Scroll to Top