William Deming was an American statistician, professor, author, lecturer, and consultant who defined a theory of management and leadership called the System of Profound Knowledge.
It is a theory that provides a framework of thought and action for any leader wishing to transform or improve their team or organisation and consists of four components, or ‘lenses’ through which to view the world simultaneously. Improving systems is about appropriately applying the four principles and practices so that the organisation can simultaneously reduce costs through reducing waste and variation whilst increasing quality.
An appreciation of a system
Deming defined a system as ‘a network of interdependent components that work together to try to accomplish the aim of the system. The aim for any system should be that everybody gains, not one part of the system at the expense of any other’. Find out more about systems thinking.
Understanding of variation
Understanding variation is critical to managing systems effectively. Find out more about variation.
Psychology
Leaders can create the best system, know all about variation and knowledge, and still not have a successful organisation if they don’t understand people, and particularly what motivates them to want to do a good job. Deming understood the importance of effective people management and accepted that people cannot all be managed in the same way. He also understood that people are primarily motivated by intrinsic needs, including taking pride in workmanship and working with others to achieve common goals, in contrast to simply being motivated by monetary reward.
Recommended resources are those developed by the Q Exchange Psychology for QI project include:
- Psychological Safety for Improvement: A practical guide to help teams and leaders in their improvement work | Q Community (health.org.uk)
- Psychological Safety and Quality Improvement: Reading and Resources List | Q Community (health.org.uk)
- REACH Coaching Framework for Improvement | Q Community (health.org.uk)
- Spaces for Listening | Q Community (health.org.uk)
The group also ran a fantastic online workshop with Kate Hilton, Lead Faculty of IHI’s innovation work on ‘psychology of change’ methods for quality improvement.
- You can watch the full YouTube recording here: P4I – Psychology of Change with Kate Hilton (Q Community) – YouTube
- And find out more about the workshop and explore the YouTube clips section by section here: Understanding the psychology of change | Q Community (health.org.uk)
Theory of knowledge
Theory of knowledge is based on the premise that management is prediction and knowledge acquired is a rational prediction based on a theory of what may happen. This is then revised based on comparison of prediction with actual observation. The new knowledge is then reflected in the new theory of what action is needed to effect change.
The process of learning is embodied in the Model for Improvement and the Plan Do Study Act cycle, a systematic and dynamic process covering theory and application that helps gather knowledge, not simply data or information. It is a means of achieving a never-ending cycle of valuable learning for the continual improvement of a process or product.
(NB information on this page is adapted from QI Hub Scotland)
