Profound

In this first part of a two-part series, I chat with Bill Bellows in this episode. Bill gave us a little history of his introduction to Genichi Taguchi's methods and quality concepts while working as an engineer in the jet engine industry. We explore key ideas around variability reduction, precision vs accuracy, process capability, and Taguchi's loss function. Our conversation looks at the difference between traditional quality approaches focused on specifications and Taguchi's view of quality based on quantifying loss and variation. We riff on analogies using a dartboard and Deming's red bead experiment to clarify Taguchi's perspectives on "loss" and variation even within specification limits. Bill's LinkedIn can be found here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-bellows-218435/

I geek out with Tracy Bannon in this episode. Tracy gave us a little history of MITRE and her work at MITRE. DevOps, DevSecOps, and SRE, were also discussed from words to movements. We explore QA and risk controls as well as modern governance. Our conversation ended with a great discussion about generative AI, specifically ChatGPT.  Tracy can be found on Linkedin here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracylbannon/

This episode features Mike Harris, a Tester at Geckoboard who self-identifies as a Tester. We discuss how vital Dr. Deming's ideas are to testing, especially around the System of Profound Knowledge, with Mike, who has worked in testing for 20 years. It is another example of Dr. Deming's ideas' relevance in the modern era.

Here's a summary:

Introducing Mike Harris.
0:02

Deming’s journey of profound knowledge and the importance of systems thinking.
5:22

How do we verify what we think we know?
11:20

Driving out fear in your team.
17:36

The tyranny of the prevailing style of management and how to break it.
23:45

What is agile? How did it start?
29:31

Words matter to Deming.
37:42

Do you find that most people in the testing community don’t have a clear operational definition?
43:30

Links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-harris-citp-mbcs-5a75733/
https://testandanalysis.home.blog/

In this episode, Donna and I discuss what's wrong with the words Root Cause and Root Cause Analysis. Our original thoughts and the differences between the old and new meanings are discussed. Undoubtedly, Dr. Deming's words matter, and we try to figure out what he would have said. 

I'm John Willis (Botchagalupe). For almost ten years, I have been researching and writing a book about Dr. Deming. About two years ago, I got serious about the work, and then the pandemic struck. I should write this book if I ever intend to do so. Two years ago, I started working with a wonderful consultant, Derek Lewis. He has a phenomenal voice that you get to hear. I have worked with him for two years. After about a year of writing, I naively thought I was done. A year later, with five drafts, I could continue for another five years. However, I have finally begun working with a publisher. There will be some excellent news on that front. Hopefully, the audio, final, and Kindle versions will be available this summer. The paperback might not be available until the end of the year due to printing and supply chain issues.

There are two things to note about this edition. One, it is an early version, so there will be changes when we finally produce and publish the production audio version. Two, I used a dramatic version for this edition. To add excitement, I added some voiceovers and minor sound effects. I hope you enjoy listening to this audiobook’s first three chapters. If you would like an early copy to finish the book, please contact [email protected]. However, it won't be a version for distribution. The final version may or may not change. 

I hope you enjoy the first three chapters; the actual final book will have 20 chapters, as it stands at 350 pages. 

I interview a longtime Dr. Deming fan and early DevOps pioneer in this episode. Donna has a similar background to mine, where we both worked before the age of clouds and modern infrastructure. You are going to enjoy this podcast. Here are some links for follow-up knowledge.

Donna Knapp Linkedin

ReCommoning: Transitioning Organisations with Jabe Bloom

The Visible Ops Handbook

TRADE-OFFS UNDER PRESSURE: HEURISTICS AND OBSERVATIONS OF TEAMS RESOLVING INTERNET SERVICE OUTAGES

What Would Deming Do

Dennis is the founder of Sergent Results Group. Sergent Results Group was founded in 2000 and offers professional coaching, consulting, leadership learning, quality and productivity training and expert facilitation. The company created Continual Quality Improvement (CQI) Academy™ for leaders and managers seeking to understand the scientific improvement methods of W. Edwards Deming and others.

Dennis describes his experiences with Dr. Deming's teaching. I am a huge fan of another Deming student, Ron Moen, Dennis has worked with Ron on a couple of occasions. If you are a Dr. Deming fan, this is another great podcast where you get here more untold stories. I hope you enjoy.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergentresultsgroup/

In this episode Damon Edwards interviews me about my upcoming Deming book. Damon and I have been DevOps partners in crime since the beginning of DevOps. We were both down in Boca Raton recording for the Techstrong Predict conference. Techstrong let us use their facility to record the podcast. Damon does a great job of pulling knowledge about my book. 

Glenn Wilson, author of "DevSecOps: A leader's guide to producing secure software without compromising flow, feedback, and continuous improvement" discusses our upcoming trip to Japan. We are both becoming huge fans of Katie Anderson (see my last podcast), and we are attending her Japan trip. I asked him why he signed up for the trip. In addition, we discuss Katie's book and how it's a perfect complement to Mike Rother's Toyota Kata and Steven Spear's High Velocity Edge. You might find some bonus material if you're an Umberto Eco fan.

Links:
Glenn Wilson
Glenn's DevSecOps Book
Katie Anderson
Katie's Japan Trip

Katie Anderson is a leadership coach, consultant, and author who inspires individuals and organizations. In 2015, she moved to Japan from public health research. She shares lessons she learned in Japan about deepening your leadership skills with The Profound podcast.  As Katie had already applied Toyota production principles in the healthcare system, her life in Japan inspired her to learn lean at the source. Transitioning from public health to consulting was her big pivot away from academia and research.

Katie's Website

Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn