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Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!uwvax!astroatc!nicmad!luscher
From: luscher@nicmad.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.jokes
Subject: Demming, statistical problem solution
Message-ID: <306@nicmad.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 11-Aug-85 22:16:48 EDT
Article-I.D.: nicmad.306
Posted: Sun Aug 11 22:16:48 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 13-Aug-85 03:51:36 EDT
References: <358@tektools.UUCP>
Organization: Nicolet Instrument Corp. Madison WI
Lines: 37

> 
> Person A hires person B to perform some services.
> (I think that person A had a problem with something that was broken.)
> Person B comes around and fixes the problem in a couple of minutes.
> Person A receives a bill for $1000 and is outraged at the amount.  He fires
> off an angry letter to person B and demands an explanation for the large bill.
> He receives the following explanation:
> 
>     "For services:
> 
>          $1.00 for time spent on the job.
>        $999.00 for knowing which button to push.
>      ---------
>       $1000.00 Total Due"
>
	I heard a story about Demming, guru of quality-through-statistics
that is similar in nature to the above:

	A shoe manufacturer was having problems in his factory.  His employees
sewing soles on shoes kept breaking the thread which would result in downtime
as they re-threaded their machine.  The manufacturer tried adjusting the
machines several times, he tried training programs, etc.  Everything he
tried helped for a while but then things went to hell again and it was costing
him a bundle.
	Finally he hired Demming as a consultant and after a plant tour, during
which all the steps previously taken were expalined and Demming was shown the
entire production process the manufacturer asked for an solution.
	Demming asked to talk to the purchasing agent and asked the man how
he chose which thread to buy.  The reply was "get the cheapest I can find
to save money".  Demming's solution was to buy stronger thread.
	When asked "yes but is that a statistical solution?", Demming is
said to have replied "yes, I'm a statistician and I solved it."

 
-- 
Jim Luscher / Nicolet Instruments / Oscilloscope Div.
5225 Verona Rd Bldg-2 / Madison Wi 53711 USA / 608/271-3333x2274