Dodge Quote by W. Edwards Deming
“We cannot rely on mass inspection to improve quality, though there are times when 100 percent inspection is necessary. As Harold S. Dodge said many years ago, 'You cannot inspect quality into a product.' The quality is there or it isn't by the time it's inspected.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Quality Management Lecture, 1950s
Quality cannot be added by inspection; it must be built into the process from the start.
In simple terms: Inspection can't create quality.
Key Takeaway
Focus on process improvement.
Themes
quality
process improvement
inspection
management
Mood
determined
pragmatic
Type
advisory
instructional
When to use this quote
- manufacturing
- software development
- service industry
- regulatory compliance
Key Concepts
Total Quality Management
continuous improvement
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you embed quality in design?
- What processes need redesign?
A Different Perspective
Inspection alone may miss systemic flaws.
![“Speaking of [Colin] Kaepernick, did you see what [Barack] Obama said about Kaepernick? I mean this was the biggest dodge I have ever seen. This may have been the most vacuous or empty statement on anything, because Obama clearly wanted to agree with Kaepernick but couldn't.” quote by Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/46a/rush-limbaugh-28_agree_speaking-of-colin-kaepernick-did-you-see_251090.jpg)
