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It is wrong to suppose that if you can’t measure it, you…

“It is wrong to suppose that if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it – a costly myth” quote by W. Edwards Deming
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“It is wrong to suppose that if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it – a costly myth”

W. Edwards Deming

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Measuring is essential for management; believing otherwise is a costly misconception.

In simple terms: You must measure to manage effectively.

Key Takeaway

Implement reliable metrics.

Themes

management measurement efficiency myths

Mood

analytical cautionary

Type

professional philosophical

When to use this quote

  • business strategy
  • quality control
  • project tracking

Key Concepts

systems thinking performance metrics continuous improvement

Questions to Reflect On

  • What cannot be measured but still matters?
  • How to balance data with intuition?
A Different Perspective

Over‑reliance on metrics can ignore qualitative factors.

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