Category Archives: Management

The Software Engineering Manager’s Lament

Posted on October 23, 2008 by John Hunter

The engineering manager’s lament by Eric Ries: In teams that follow the “pick two” agenda [quality, time or price], which two has to be resolved via a power play. In companies with a strong engineering culture, the engineers pick quality. … Continue reading →

Posted in IT, Management, Software Development, Systems thinking | Tagged engineering, Lean thinking, management, Software Development, Systems thinking | Comments Off

CEOs Plundering Corporate Coffers

Posted on October 22, 2008 by John Hunter

Pointy haired bosses broke the code they provided on their site for embedding a Dilbert comic, so I removed the broken code. Dogbert: “I am stepping down as CEO so I can spend more time with the money I stole … Continue reading →

Posted in Management, Respect, Systems thinking | Tagged commentary, ethics, executive pay, Management, overpaid executives | 17 Comments

Flaws in Understanding Psychology Lead to Flawed Management

Posted on October 21, 2008 by John Hunter

I people are self interested and somewhat rational. However, self interest, is complex. People want to be liked, people want to be part of something good, people want to feel they are appreciated… Continue reading →

Posted in Management, Psychology, Respect | Tagged commentary, curiouscat, Deming, John Hunter, Psychology, quote, respect for people | 5 Comments

Six Sigma v. Common Sense

Posted on October 20, 2008 by John Hunter

Response to LinkedIn question [the broken link was removed]: “Whether Six Sigma as a quality tool really delivers the benefits ? How does it makes difference from a common sense approach ? (Where the process wastes and the required solution … Continue reading →

Posted in Management, Quality tools, quote, Six sigma | Tagged commentary, curiouscat, John Hunter, Quality tools, quote, Six sigma, Systems thinking | 2 Comments

National Medal of Technology and Innovation

Posted on October 16, 2008 by John Hunter

Armand V. Feigenbaum received the 2007 National Medal of and Technology and Innovation for his leadership in the development of the economic relationship of quality costs, productivity improvement, and profitability, and for his pioneering application of economics, general systems theory … Continue reading →

Posted in Deming, Management | Tagged awards, Deming, management, TQM | Comments Off

Management Improvement Carnival #45

Posted on October 15, 2008 by John Hunter

Read the previous management carnivals. Also see the management Reddit for popular new blog posts to include in future carnivals. Hire them, fire them, do what you want with them by Jay Padinjaredath – “A quote from Deming: “In Japan … Continue reading →

Posted in Carnival, Management | Tagged Carnival, extrinsic motivation, management, Process improvement, Quality tools | Comments Off

Restaurant Eliminates Tipping to Improve System Performance

Posted on October 13, 2008 by John Hunter

Why Tip? by Paul Wachter When he opened the Linkery [the broken link was removed], Porter said, he hoped his employees would become as emotionally invested in the venture as he was, sharing a sense of purpose and joy in … Continue reading →

Posted in Creativity, Deming, Economics, Management, Psychology, Systems thinking | Tagged bonus, commissions, extrinsic motivation, Joy in Work, Psychology | 1 Comment

Idle Workers Busy at Toyota

Posted on October 12, 2008 by John Hunter

Idle Workers Busy at Toyota Instead of sending the workers home, as the Detroit makers often do, Toyota is keeping them at the plants, though. The employees spend their days in training sessions designed to sharpen their job skills and … Continue reading →

Posted in Lean thinking, Management, Management Articles, Manufacturing, Respect, Toyota Production System (TPS) | Tagged Manufacturing, respect for people, Systems thinking, Toyota, training | 2 Comments

Financial Market Meltdown

Posted on October 10, 2008 by John Hunter

The financial market meltdown has grown to the point where it has profound ramifications for everyone. The common wisdom for financial market variation, for most of us, is just to focus on the long term and don’t worry about short … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Management, Toyota Production System (TPS) | Tagged curiouscat, economy, John Hunter, Toyota, Toyota Production System (TPS) | 9 Comments

2008 Deming Prize: Tata Steel

Posted on October 8, 2008 by John Hunter

Tata Steel, India, has been awarded the 2008 Deming Prize. They were the only organization to receive the prize this year. Mr. B. Muthuraman, Managing Director, Tata Steel, while expressing satisfaction over this accomplishment said, “No other activity made us … Continue reading →

Posted in Deming, India, Management, Manufacturing, Process improvement | Tagged Deming, Deming Prize, India | 5 Comments