--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The intent of application of a work…" description: "\"“The intent of application of a work standard is noble: predict costs; establish ceiling on costs. The actual effect is to double the cost of the opera..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed8/w-edwards-deming-1337_cost_the-intent-of-application-of-a-work-stan_1904822.jpg" --- # The intent of application of a work standard is noble… ![“The intent of application of a work standard is noble: predict costs; establish ceiling on costs. The actual effect is to double the cost of the operation and to stifle pride of workmanship. There are more engineers engaged in construction of work standards, and people counting production, than…” quote by W. Edwards Deming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed8/w-edwards-deming-1337_cost_the-intent-of-application-of-a-work-stan_1904822.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed8/w-edwards-deming-1337_cost_the-intent-of-application-of-a-work-stan_1904822.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed8/w-edwards-deming-1337_cost_the-intent-of-application-of-a-work-stan_1904822.jpg) > ““The intent of application of a work standard is noble: predict costs; establish ceiling on costs. The actual effect is to double the cost of the operation and to stifle pride of workmanship. There are more engineers engaged in construction of work standards, and people counting production, than there are people engaged in actual production.”” [W. Edwards Deming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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. Standardizing work to control costs often backfires, raising expenses and dampening pride in craftsmanship. **In simple terms:** Over‑standardizing can increase costs and suppress quality. Key Takeaway Balance standards with flexibility and pride in work. Themes efficiency cost control pride of workmanship engineering Mood critical reflective Type analytical cautionary When to use this quote - manufacturing - project management - software development - quality assurance Key Concepts systems thinking human factors continuous improvement Questions to Reflect On - Are current standards truly serving the goal? - How can pride be preserved while managing costs? A Different Perspective Strict standards may ignore real‑world variability and stifle innovation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actual Effect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actual-effect-2832115/) [Application Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/application-work-2832114/) [Cost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cost/) [Intent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intent/) [Management-and-leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/management-and-leadership/) [Standards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/standards/) [Waste](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/waste/) [Work Standard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work-standard-2832112/) [Work Standards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work-standards-2832113/) [Workmanship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/workmanship/) ## Related quotes > [I really believe in work, work, work so my standards are very high for those people without ambition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paolo-di-canio/i-really-believe-in-work-work-work-so-my-standards-are-very-high-for/) [Paolo di Canio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paolo-di-canio/) > [Quality is pride of workmanship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-edwards-deming/quality-is-pride-of-workmanship/) [W. Edwards Deming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-edwards-deming/) > [Plants don't close from poor workmanship, but from poor management.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-edwards-deming/plants-don-t-close-from-poor-workmanship-but-from-poor-management/) [W. Edwards Deming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-edwards-deming/) > [The aim of leadership should be to improve the performance of man and machine, to improve quality, to increase output, and simultaneously to bring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-edwards-deming/the-aim-of-leadership-should-be-to-improve-the-performance-of-man-and/) [W. Edwards Deming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-edwards-deming/) > [Beauty is nature's brag, and must be shown in courts, at feasts, and high solemnities, where most may wonder at the workmanship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/beauty-is-nature-s-brag-and-must-be-shown-in-courts-at-feasts-and/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [“Great service is not just fixing appliances — it’s restoring comfort, saving time, and keeping homes running smoothly every single day.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-griffin/great-service-is-not-just-fixing-appliances-it-s-restoring-comfort/) [George Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-griffin/) > [In the last ten years of watching films I have found that some of the foreign films I saw affected me most. One American…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irvin-kershner/in-the-last-ten-years-of-watching-films-i-have-found-that-some-of-the/) [Irvin Kershner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irvin-kershner/) > [Beavers build houses; but they build them in nowise differently, or better now, than they did, five thousand years ago. Ants, and honey-bees, provide…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/beavers-build-houses-but-they-build-them-in-nowise-differently-or/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [“True artists do not create to fish for compliments and praises. They create to express the love they have for their craft.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/true-artists-do-not-create-to-fish-for-compliments-and-praises-they/) [Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/) > [Mathematics may be compared to a mill of exquisite workmanship, which grinds you stuff of any degree of fineness; but, nevertheless, what you get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-huxley/mathematics-may-be-compared-to-a-mill-of-exquisite-workmanship-which/) [Thomas Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-huxley/) > [“When God calls you to build 100 castles on earth and you built 98, take the 99th as if it's the begining of your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/when-god-calls-you-to-build-100-castles-on-earth-and-you-built-98/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [The effect of our knowledge rather ought to be, first, to teach us reverence and fear; and, secondly, to induce us, under its guidance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calvin/the-effect-of-our-knowledge-rather-ought-to-be-first-to-teach-us/) [John Calvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calvin/) > [You don't have to preach honesty to men with creative purpose. Let a human being throw the engines of his soul into the making…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/you-don-t-have-to-preach-honesty-to-men-with-creative-purpose-let-a/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [What a curious workmanship is that of the eye, which is in the body, as the sun in the world; set in the head…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-charnock/what-a-curious-workmanship-is-that-of-the-eye-which-is-in-the-body-as/) [Stephen Charnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-charnock/) > [I tried to like it. For me, it was like being smacked around the head by a piece of IKEA furniture: it hurts, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bailey/i-tried-to-like-it-for-me-it-was-like-being-smacked-around-the-head/) [Bill Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bailey/) ## More by W. Edwards Deming > [Absence of defects does not necessarily build business... Something more is required.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-edwards-deming/absence-of-defects-does-not-necessarily-build-business-something-more/) [W. Edwards Deming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-edwards-deming/) > [In Japan, a company worker's position is secure. He is retrained for another job if his present job is eliminated by productivity improvement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-edwards-deming/in-japan-a-company-worker-s-position-is-secure-he-is-retrained-for/) [W. Edwards Deming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-edwards-deming/) > [We are here to make another world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-edwards-deming/we-are-here-to-make-another-world/) [W. Edwards Deming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-edwards-deming/) > [It is a mistake to assume that if everybody does his job, it will be all right. The whole system may be in trouble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-edwards-deming/it-is-a-mistake-to-assume-that-if-everybody-does-his-job-it-will-be/) [W. Edwards Deming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-edwards-deming/) > [Innovation comes from the producer - not from the customer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-edwards-deming/innovation-comes-from-the-producer-not-from-the-customer/) [W. Edwards Deming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-edwards-deming/) > [The only useful function of a statistician is to make predictions, and thus to provide a basis for action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-edwards-deming/the-only-useful-function-of-a-statistician-is-to-make-predictions-and/) [W. Edwards Deming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-edwards-deming/) > [A leader is a coach, not a judge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-edwards-deming/a-leader-is-a-coach-not-a-judge/) [W. Edwards Deming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-edwards-deming/) > [It does not happen all at once. There is no instant pudding.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-edwards-deming/it-does-not-happen-all-at-once-there-is-no-instant-pudding/) [W. Edwards Deming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-edwards-deming/) > [Sub-optimization is when everyone is for himself. Optimization is when everyone is working to help the company.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-edwards-deming/sub-optimization-is-when-everyone-is-for-himself-optimization-is-when/) [W. Edwards Deming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-edwards-deming/) > [We know what we told him, but we don't know what he heard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-edwards-deming/we-know-what-we-told-him-but-we-don-t-know-what-he-heard/) [W. Edwards Deming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-edwards-deming/) > [Rational behavior requires theory. Reactive behavior requires only reflex action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-edwards-deming/rational-behavior-requires-theory-reactive-behavior-requires-only/) [W. Edwards Deming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-edwards-deming/) > [A manager of people needs to understand that all people are different. This is not ranking people. He needs to understand that the performance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-edwards-deming/a-manager-of-people-needs-to-understand-that-all-people-are-different/) [W. Edwards Deming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-edwards-deming/) > [“It is not enough to just do your best or work hard; You must know what to work on.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-edwards-deming/it-is-not-enough-to-just-do-your-best-or-work-hard-you-must-know-what/) [W. Edwards Deming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-edwards-deming/) > [You have to manage a system. The system doesn't manage itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-edwards-deming/you-have-to-manage-a-system-the-system-doesn-t-manage-itself/) [W. Edwards Deming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-edwards-deming/) > [Two basic rules of life are: 1) Change is inevitable. 2) Everybody resists change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-edwards-deming/two-basic-rules-of-life-are-1-change-is-inevitable-2-everybody/) [W. Edwards Deming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-edwards-deming/) [Explore all 255 W. Edwards Deming quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-edwards-deming/) ## More Cost quotes > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [I would borrow money all day long, if the cost of borrowing is less than the expected return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-schneider/i-would-borrow-money-all-day-long-if-the-cost-of-borrowing-is-less/) [Brad Schneider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-schneider/) > [I do not want to live at the cost of the life even of a snake. I should let him bite me to death…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/i-do-not-want-to-live-at-the-cost-of-the-life-even-of-a-snake-i/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [What a thrill. You know you've entered new territory when you realise that your outfit cost more than your film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-yu/what-a-thrill-you-know-you-ve-entered-new-territory-when-you-realise/) [Jessica Yu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-yu/) > [ \[Photography is \] likewise even French impressionists. So the Sculls bought pop. It was politics, and they moved with it. And I think that… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-winogrand/photography-is-likewise-even-french-impressionists-so-the-sculls/) [Garry Winogrand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-winogrand/) > [What has drug addiction done for me? It's cost me my career, my fortune and basically my sex life when I found out I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robbin-crosby/what-has-drug-addiction-done-for-me-it-s-cost-me-my-career-my-fortune/) [Robbin Crosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robbin-crosby/) > [I agreed a long time ago, I would not live at any cost. If I am moved or forced away from what I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/i-agreed-a-long-time-ago-i-would-not-live-at-any-cost-if-i-am-moved/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [I believe that government is too large, costs too much, spends too much, and has too much regulatory power in our lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-walberg/i-believe-that-government-is-too-large-costs-too-much-spends-too-much/) [Tim Walberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-walberg/) > [One reason for the tremendous increase in health-care costs in the U.S. is managerial neglect of the "hotel services" by the people who dominate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/one-reason-for-the-tremendous-increase-in-health-care-costs-in-the-u/) [Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/) > [They brought on someone who cost more than our stadium.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-rodgers/they-brought-on-someone-who-cost-more-than-our-stadium/) [Brendan Rodgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-rodgers/) > [When the government pays, health care's lack of affordability becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. In health care, as in other things, government is the high-cost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-kling/when-the-government-pays-health-care-s-lack-of-affordability-becomes/) [Arnold Kling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-kling/) > [“In your goals to go the extra mile, prepare to pay an extra cost. 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