UNIT 2: BALDRIGE VS DEMING

UNIT 2
BALDRIGE VS DEMING
BY ALLEN COOK
POST UNIVERSITY

UNIT 2: BALDRIGE VS DEMING

One of the many differences between Baldrige and Deming is that ones system is centered in the
United States of America and the other one is centered in Japan. Demings philosophy is more
centered on manufacturing, whereas Baldriges is geared towards overall quality. Their
philosophies differ in that Demings is all about the slow and steady way to improving the
quality of just the product. Whereas Baldrige is more about improving everything from the way
a product is first thought of, then designed, and all the way to the production line and then onto
the customers receipt. Baldrige is even attuned for Customer Feedback in order to help improve
the product.
The other biggest difference I see between them is that Deming says to Cease dependence on
inspection to achieve quality. This does not sit well with me. Inspections help to ensure the
quality of not only the product but also the process of making the product. Baldriges Principle
of Management of Fact takes this into consideration as well as using the data provided by the
inspections to help improve the quality of the organization. Inspections are also a great way to
find new techniques of innovation for streamlining processes.
One of the few tenents of similarity between them is that they are centered on having employees
furthering their education both personally and within the Company. However, Deming only
makes note to Institute a vigorous program of education and self-improvement as well as
Institute training on the job. Baldriges Principle of Organizational and Personal Learning
makes it known that the Organization needs to instill a deep sense of drive for self-improvement.
I feel that cross training workers will help to open their knowledge of the process and that
management may find out someone has a better aptitude for a different area than the one they are
currently in. A great example of this is within the Recruiting office. Everyone has been told that
they should enroll in College, and surprisingly everyone is. We are all furthering our education

UNIT 2: BALDRIGE VS DEMING

within our personal goals, As well it has been told that we should look into some of the personal
interaction classes that are available via correspondence. We in Recruiting have several positions
that we are assigned to, the Engagement team, the Processing team and the Future Soldier
Leaders. Everyone gets trained in at least two of the three positions to find out which is the
stronger ability for the individual and the team. Instilling the drive to continuously learn will
lead to new innovations in processes as well as making the team more efficient.
So in short, I believe that the Baldrige Core Values are much more in tune with American
concepts of Quality as well as Customer Appreciation. I do not feel that Demings 14 Points
could be used because there is just not much background to what he says. Baldrige Core Values
are more in depth in regards to each Value made. He puts into words the actions required to
make each Value have substance. Deming only makes one sentence points. He leaves it up to
the Organization to make up their concepts for each point made.