Where Does Test Belong?

Really suggest much more careful use of terms in this professional area.

Deming actually urged management to statistically control processes using statistical techniques as developed by Shewart and advanced by others. If one understands their process capability, then one can sample to assure control. I don't call that testing processes. sampling is actually monitoring.

If one looks at Demings 14 points, one doesn't find anything about testing, except point 3 which is about improving systems and people to eliminate the need for inspection.

Demings lessons were far more about knowledge and culture and management than any sermons on testing. This Blog entry sneak peek focus misses the forest for a very small tree.

Know your process capability.Monitor and improve your process. Train your people. Continuously improve.

When i first implemented SPC in a small steel mill, I started at the beginning of the process, so that the benefits of the systemic improvements would be enjoyed at every subsequent step.

milo