Can not Quote by W. Edwards Deming
“You can not plan to make a discovery. You do not plan innovation.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Out of the Crisis, W. Edwards Deming, 1982
Discovery and innovation arise from unexpected insight, not from rigid planning.
In simple terms: Innovation cannot be scheduled.
Key Takeaway
Embrace uncertainty and observe.
Themes
creativity
innovation
uncertainty
Mood
inspired
curious
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- research labs
- product development
- artistic creation
- entrepreneurial ventures
Key Concepts
Systems thinking
emergent ideas
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you create space for unexpected ideas?
- What habits help you notice sudden insights?
A Different Perspective
Planning may overlook serendipity, limiting breakthroughs.
![“[...] any fool can make a discovery. Every baby has to discover more in the first years of its life than Roger Bacon ever discovered in his laboratory.” quote by George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a55/george-bernard-shaw-68_baby_any-fool-can-make-a-discovery-every-baby_649627.jpg)
![“To be with another scientist and make a discovery and share that with a global audience, or working with bear biologists in Alaska, by helicopter - [it's] really what I've given my whole life to. And I get to do that just about every week.” quote by Jeff Corwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4de/jeff-corwin-23425_alaska_to-be-with-another-scientist-and-make-a_452680.jpg)
![“He [Moliere] pleases all the world, but cannot please himself.” quote by Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/812/nicolas-boileau-despreaux-1070_can-not_he-moliere-pleases-all-the-world-but-can_20665.jpg)
