Which of the following is not one of Deming’s 14 Points?
a. Use Lowest-Tender Contracts
b. Have Constancy of Purpose
c. Institute Leadership of People
d. Break Down Barriers
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is a. Use Lowest-Tender Contracts.
Deming’s 14 Points are a set of management practices aimed at improving the quality of products and services within an organization. These points were introduced by Dr. W. Edwards Deming, a statistician and quality control expert, to help organizations implement total quality management. His philosophy emphasizes continuous improvement, the elimination of waste, and the development of a committed workforce.
The 14 Points focus on long-term strategies for quality improvement, rather than short-term fixes. The idea behind Deming’s principles is to foster an environment where employees are motivated, skilled, and invested in quality at all levels of the organization.
Why “Use Lowest-Tender Contracts” is not part of Deming’s 14 Points:
Deming was critical of practices that encouraged short-term cost savings at the expense of quality. The principle of using the “lowest-tender contracts” often leads to cost-cutting measures that compromise quality, as vendors or contractors may be selected based solely on price, without consideration for their ability to deliver high-quality products or services. Deming’s philosophy emphasizes building long-term relationships with suppliers and partners to ensure mutual quality improvements, not opting for the cheapest option.
Other points, such as Have Constancy of Purpose, Institute Leadership of People, and Break Down Barriers, align with Deming’s ideas of fostering a supportive work environment where leadership drives continuous improvement, and organizational silos and inefficiencies are removed to promote cross-functional collaboration and communication.
In conclusion, using lowest-tender contracts contradicts Deming’s approach of focusing on quality over cost in the long run, which is why it is not included in his 14 Points.