Spring 2002 sees the launch by the IQA (Institute of Quality Assurance) of the long-heralded special interest group dedicated to the work of the late Dr W. Edwards Deming (pictured above).
Deming is reputed, of course, to have single-handedly initiated Japan's post-war economic recovery, although there are those who claim that Homer Sarasohn and Charles Protzman should take much of the credit. See this article for example.
The special interest group's purpose is to promote, through the IQA, ways in which the Deming approach can improve products, services and the world of work. Its intent is to act as a catalyst for the understanding, exploration, application and possibly the development of Deming's thinking.
You cannot join the special interest group unless you are a member, or a Deming affiliate, of the IQA.
However, anyone can attend the launch day, subject to places being available and payment of a contribution of £25. This covers refreshments and will also buy you a copy of a book that contains the first known reference to the concept of continual improvement.
The launch day is on Tuesday 26 March 2002 10.30 am to 3.00 pm at the IQA headquarters in central London.
After an introduction about the relevance of Deming's thinking for today's world and about the SIG's strategy, there will be parallel sessions using Open Space Technology (if this technology is new to you, learn more here).
It loooks like the launch will deal with the practical realities of the state of 'quality' (one session is entitled simply ISO 9001:2000) but we will also be taken right back to basics by addressing the question "What is Quality?"
You can read more and book places here.