Dr. W. Edwards Deming's Concept of Profound Knowledge
Knowledge for Improvement
| Subject Matter Knowledge: Knowledge basic to the things we do in life; how to ride a bicycle, program a computer, make chemicals, understanding the fundamental physical laws, properties, and scientific theories. Profound Knowledge: The interplay of the theories of systems, variation, knowledge, and psychology. Profound - having intellectual depth and insight (Webster) Improvement: Learn to combine subject matter knowledge and profound knowledge in creative ways to develop effective changes for improvement. |
There is a need for knowledgeable leadership to carry out the strategy and make it
successful. "The job of a leader is to accomplish transformation of his organization."
(Deming, 1993, p. 119). To accomplish this aim, a leader will need knowledge in a
wide variety of areas. In addition to specific subject matter knowledge relevant to the
particular organization, Dr. Deming (1993) describes the body of knowledge that is
necessary for leadership as "profound knowledge." This body of knowledge contains
an appreciation of a system, knowledge about variation, the theory of knowledge,
and psychology. The system of profound knowledge provides a map of theory to
understand and optimize organizations. A leader does not need to be an expert in all
of these areas. A leader should understand the basic theories in each area, how the
different areas interrelate, and why they are important for the improvement of quality.
successful. "The job of a leader is to accomplish transformation of his organization."
(Deming, 1993, p. 119). To accomplish this aim, a leader will need knowledge in a
wide variety of areas. In addition to specific subject matter knowledge relevant to the
particular organization, Dr. Deming (1993) describes the body of knowledge that is
necessary for leadership as "profound knowledge." This body of knowledge contains
an appreciation of a system, knowledge about variation, the theory of knowledge,
and psychology. The system of profound knowledge provides a map of theory to
understand and optimize organizations. A leader does not need to be an expert in all
of these areas. A leader should understand the basic theories in each area, how the
different areas interrelate, and why they are important for the improvement of quality.
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