Death Quote by W. Edwards Deming
“The greatest losses are unknown and unknowable.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Out of the Crisis, 1982
The most significant losses are those we cannot measure or anticipate, urging vigilance for unseen risks.
In simple terms: Unknown losses are the greatest.
Key Takeaway
Implement systems to detect hidden failures.
Themes
risk management
uncertainty
measurement
Mood
analytical
pragmatic
Type
business
quality management
When to use this quote
- quality control
- project management
- strategic planning
- healthcare safety
Key Concepts
systems thinking
continuous improvement
Questions to Reflect On
- How can organizations uncover hidden vulnerabilities?
- What tools help identify unknown risks?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on measurable data can miss subtle threats.
