Role of statistics in quality and productivity improvement

The role of statistics in quality and productivity improvement depends on certain philosophical issues that the author believes have been inadequately addressed. Three such issues are as follows: (1) what is the role of statistics in the process of investigation and discovery; (2) how can we extrapolate results from the particular to the general; and (3) how can we evaluate possible management changes so that they truly benefit an organization? Therefore, statistical methods appropriate to investigation and discovery are discussed as distinct from those appropriate to the testing of an already discovered solution. It is shown how the manner in which the tentative solution has been arrived at determines the assurance with which experimental conclusions can be extrapolated to the application in mind. Whether or not statistical methods and training can have any impact depends on the system of management. A vector representation which can help predict the consequences of changes in management strategy is discussed. This can help to realign policies so that members of an organization can better work together for the benefit of the organization.