Did Deming believe in 'zero defects'?
The pursuit of 'zero defects' can be a dangerous goal if it leads to blaming individuals for defects that are actually the result of systemic issues. My focus is on improving the system to reduce variation and eliminate the sources of defects. While we should strive for perfection, an obsession with 'zero defects' can stifle learning and improvement, as it may encourage hiding problems rather than solving them.
Ask W. Edwards Deming the follow-up →