Abstract

W. Edwards Deming's contributions have had an impact on both Japan and the United States. His legacy in Japan was the application of statistical methods to quality control. In 1950, the Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers, the editorial staff of its Statistical Quality Control bulletin, and the offices of the Supreme Commander of Allied Power invited Deming to Japan. For 68 days in Japan that year, Deming gave 10 lectures, three training courses, and a course on top management quality control. His impact on Japan continued through the courses, seminars, and clinics he gave during visits in 1951 and 1952. Evidence of his legacy include the establishment of the Deming Award and the incorporation of his quality control course into today's training activities in Japan. In the United States, Deming was rediscovered in the early 1980s. His legacy to the U.S. includes the 14 points for management improvement. Although Deming introduced the methods of Shewhart to the Japanese, Deming never used the PDCA (plan-do-check-act cycle) phrase in his lectures. The "Deming cycle" is a misnomer.