Deming believed that modern management styles are a "prison" that limits how people interact. He outlined two questions for management to focus on goals and methods for improvement. Main management problems included a lack of understanding systems, not knowing important figures, and reacting to defects instead of addressing root causes. Deming proposed 14 principles for transformation, such as creating constancy of purpose for improvement, ceasing dependence on inspection, improving systems to decrease costs, and instituting training and education to involve everyone in the transformation process.

1. Management according to
Deming
“Most people imagine that the present style of
management has always existed, and is a fixture.
Actually it is a modern invention -a prison- created
by the way in which people interact.”

2. Two questions for management
1. Where do you hope to be five years
from now?
2. How may you reach this goal?
By what method?
Hopes without a method to achieve them will remain mere hopes

3. Main management problems
1. A lack of understanding the organisation as a system
2. To understand better the meaning of variation, and to
extract the information contained in variation
3. No rational plans for improvement
4. The most important figures needed for management
are unknown or unknownable
5. Managers are in constant “do” mode. Actions initiated
on appearance of a defect will be ineffective and will
cause more trouble. Only study of the causes (the
source of the problem) gives powerful leverage on
improvement

4. 14 Principles for transformation
1. Create constancy of purpose towards improvement
2. Management is primairy responsible for the system
3. Cease dependence on inspection to achieve quality
4. End the practice of awarding business on the sole
basis of price tag. Instead minimize total cost.
5. Improve constantly the system and thus decrease costs
6. Institute training on the job
7. The aim of leadership should be to help people,
machines and gadgets to do a better job

5. 14 Principles for transformation
8. Drive out fear, so that everyone may work effectively
for the company
9. Break down barriers between departments and other
organisations in the system
10. Eliminate slogans, exhortations and targets
11. Eliminate work standards and management by
objectives or numbers
12. Remove barriers that rob people of the right to pride of
workmanship and leadership
13. Institute a vigorous program of education and self-
improvement
14. Put everybody to work to accomplish transformation
The transformation is everbody ‘s job

6. 14 Principles for transformation
8. Drive out fear, so that everyone may work effectively
for the company
9. Break down barriers between departments and other
organisations in the system
10. Eliminate slogans, exhortations and targets
11. Eliminate work standards and management by
objectives or numbers
12. Remove barriers that rob people of the right to pride of
workmanship and leadership
13. Institute a vigorous program of education and self-
improvement
14. Put everybody to work to accomplish transformation
The transformation is everbody ‘s job