Shewhart-Deming cycle: stages of production management

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Management seeks to develop effective ways to manage production and product quality. There are several approaches to solving this problem. We present the authors of the theory of continuous improvement of processes, W alter Shewhart and William Deming, whose control cycle is known throughout the world. They assume that, despite the large difference in production, the algorithm of actions for all systems is the same. Let's talk about the essence of this theory and how to apply this model in practice.

Production management concept

The organization of any process, the impact on different objects is called management. Management processes are found not only in production, each person has to organize his life, make many different decisions, and achieve goals. Therefore, management is such a broad field of activity that goes far beyond the scope of creating products or services. The idea of W. Deming, whose management cycle we are considering, is that management exists in almost all areas of human activity, and they have a common procedure. Any management is associated with the collection and processing of information, decision-making, coordinationprocesses, forecasting, control and evaluation of efficiency. Modern management considers many processes, including production ones, as projects. Quality is an essential attribute of any project. In this connection, such a special area as quality management appears.

Basic principle of quality management

In any sphere of production quality management systems are being introduced today, in accordance with international standards. They are aimed at ensuring the stable quality of manufactured goods or services. Quality management is based on several basic principles. These include focusing on the customer and their needs, engaging and motivating employees, making realistic decisions based on facts, managerial leadership, and continual quality improvement. It was about the implementation of the last principle that the researchers who created the Deming and Shewhart cycle thought. Quality improvement is a permanent goal of every organization. It covers all levels of the enterprise from individuals to the manager, the work environment and the final product. One of two methods can be used to improve quality: breakthrough and incremental. It is achieved through the implementation of standardization, analysis and measurement, as well as optimization and rationalization.

Shuharat concept

American management consultant famous scientist W alter Shewhart in 1930 deeply explores the issues of quality management of industrial products. His work on controlmaps, which are a means of fixing observations of the stability and predictability of any processes, has become a serious stage in the development of management. Over the years, he has collected statistical data on process control. And the pinnacle of his scientific work was the Deming-Shewhart management cycle. In his books, he substantiates the statistical method of monitoring the stable quality of production processes and final products. In management, Shewhart distinguishes three main stages: the development of technical specifications and specifications for the release of future products, production in accordance with the specification, product quality control and its compliance with specified parameters. Later, the scientist transforms this scheme into a 4-step model:

1. Product design.
2. Manufacture of the product and testing in the laboratory.
3. Releasing a product to the market.
4. Checking the product in action, customer evaluation.

U. Shewhart put forward the process method as the most productive in management. His ideas had a huge impact on the development of management theory.

Deming Concept

W. Shewhart's student William Edwards Deming undertook to refine and improve his theory. He became the creator of the concept and general organizational method of total quality management. Deming substantiated the point of view that the enterprise quality improvement is associated with the improvement of three areas: production, personnel and products. Also, as a result of many years of research, the Total Quality system appeared. Management, which is primarily associated with the developments of Deming. The quality improvement cycle, according to the scientist, has no end, but has a circular character. He identified two main mechanisms for business improvement: quality assurance (production improvement, staff development, etc.) and quality improvement. According to the scientist, it is not enough to maintain a decent level of quality, one must constantly strive to improve its level. The updated Deming cycle includes stages of a slightly different nature. These are: planning, implementation, verification and action. Let us dwell on the characteristics of each stage in more detail.

Planning

First of all, the Shewhart-Deming cycle includes such an important stage as product development and production design. According to the researchers, entrepreneurs should constantly plan for product improvement. And for this, set new goals, evaluate resources, draw up an optimal plan of action, appoint executors and deadlines. At this stage, it is important to find problems and ways to solve them. To find reserves for improvement, it is necessary to carefully analyze the situation, the production process, the market. Analytical activities will help identify potential for improvement. Also at this stage, detailed improvement plans are drawn up, a production strategy is developed. A good plan allows you to anticipate force majeure and lay a solid foundation for your business.

Execution

Plan implementation is importantpart of management. The Deming cycle involves the allocation of a separate stage of quality management to the "execution" stage. At this stage, Deming recommends starting on a small scale first to prevent large losses in case of failure. When implementing plans, it is important to strictly follow the developed instructions and specifications. The manager must carefully track the actions at each technological step in order to comply with all requirements. In Deming's concept, this stage is rather a stage of testing, approbation, rather than mass production. Launching into a series no longer requires such close attention from the manager, but the first launches are extremely important. The manager must be 100% convinced that all technologies are followed, because this is the guarantee of quality.

Check

After the launch of mass production, scientists recommend a diagnostic study. The Deming Cycle includes a large analytical stage in which it is necessary to evaluate how the process is going, to try to find new potential for quality improvement. It is also necessary to evaluate the characteristics of the perception of the product or service by the consumer. To do this, conduct tests, focus groups, analysis of customer reviews. Also at this stage, it is necessary to carry out diagnostics of the processes, their compliance with technological standards. In addition, the work of the personnel is evaluated, the quality of the work of employees and products is monitored according to key performance indicators (KPI). If any deviations from the specified parameters are found, thensearches are underway for the reasons for this.

Actions

The last stage of the Deming cycle is the elimination of detected violations and shortcomings. At this stage, all possible actions are taken in order to obtain the planned product quality. Documentation and written consolidation of the results obtained in the form of specifications and instructions is also carried out. The Deming cycle, whose stages are associated with different stages of quality control, involves a circular motion. Therefore, after all the shortcomings and points of possible loss of quality have been eliminated, you should return to the first level and start looking for new opportunities for improvement. The experience gained in the cycle is sure to be used on the next round, it helps to minimize costs and improve product quality.

Deming's Core Principles

Deciphering his theory, the scientist formulates a number of postulates, which are called "Deming's Principles". The quality improvement cycle is based on them and proceeds from them. The most important principles are:

- Constancy of goals. Quality improvement, as the overriding goal, must be consistently achieved in both strategy and tactics.

- The manager is personally responsible for quality.

- Quality control should not be mass, it should be built into the production system itself.

- Norms and targets must be carefully justified and realistic.

- It is necessary to encourage the desire of staff toeducation, motivate employees to improve their skills.

- Quality improvement should be part of the mission and philosophy of the company, and first of all, managers should become its adherents.

- Employees should be able to be proud of their work.

Subsequently, on the basis of these postulates, the main principles of the international quality system were formulated.

Application of the Shewhart-Deming cycle

The Deming-Shewhart model is called the "PDCA cycle" and is actively used in modern management practice. The Deming cycle, an example of which can be found in the organization of the work of almost all major world corporations, is a recognized tool for improving product quality. This concept was most fully and consistently accepted in Japanese management. In this country, Deming was perceived as a national hero, he received several awards, including from the hands of the emperor. The Deming Prize has also been established in Japan. At the beginning of the 21st century, the concept began to be actively used in Russian management, it is the basis for the development of international and domestic quality standards.