Thoughts on Dr. Juran

I can think of no other academician or teacher who has had as major an impact on the lives of the peoples of the United States, Europe and Asia as Dr. Juran. He was a giant in field of "managing for quality" and his thoughts have made an impact on and resonated with millions of followers.

Not just in the fields of engineering and quality sciences, but in the area of pure management theory. Many of us saw a direct application of his continuous improvement theories in our personal lives as well?

When I try to explain how Juran affected me, I immediately think of the phrase ?it?s not what you bought but what you built, not what you got but what you gave?.

On behalf of the Orange County Chapter of ASQ,

Eliot Dratch
Irvine, CA

Eliot Dratch, 25-Apr-2008

One of Juran's greatest gifts was his Trilogy ' Quality Planning, Quality Control, and Quality Improvement ' and his unfailing insistence that all three are vital to every organization. Therefore, when I was looking for a publisher for an idea I had on improving Quality Control methods, and everyone else seemed to be saying, 'Quality Control is yesterday's news!', Juran welcomed my idea and cited it in his Handbook. Although we never spoke about it, I am certain that he witnessed many businesses fail because they didn't maintain their gains. May Juran's lessons never go out of style.

Kenneth Gass, 24-Apr-2008

The world has lost another Giant. Now with Dr Juran and Dr Deming gone. Will industry and the Quality profession keep their knowlege and teaching alive for the next generation.

Harvey C Smith
President of Red Star Quality & Productivity, 15-Apr-2008

A truly remarkable and amazing man who has left his footprints in the sands of time for all generations. I shall always remember him because he is my namesake, died on my birthday and at the same age that my own dad passed on in 1996. May his great soul rest in perfect peace

Jemine Joseph Akpieyi, 11-Apr-2008

Dr. Juran was my first quality teacher in the late 1970s. He inspired me then and throughout my career. When I decided to open my own consultancy I wrote him and he responded with nothing but kindness and great suggestions for what it takes to be successful. I will remember him always. God Bless him and his wife.

A devoted student,

Granville Jones

Granville H. Jones, Sr., 11-Apr-2008

Tribute to Dr. Juran

Corning Incorporated and its employees worldwide share in the loss of a great pioneer, leader and champion of Quality. Mr. Juran had an ongoing advisory relationship with Corning as well as Jamie Houghton, our previous CEO and current Chairman of the Board, Emeritus.
.
This year we celebrate our 25th year since Jamie Houghton launched Corning on our Total Quality journey. Over these years, we have achieved the Baldrige Award, ISO Certification in all operations worldwide, and countless supplier and Quality recognitions for excellence. Additionally, we?ve achieved records in almost every financial and operational metric. We credit much of this to the support and impact of our focus on Quality over these 25 years.

Mr. Juran joined us in one of our early company-wide Quality events and helped us to shape our understanding and vision of Quality at Corning. His work in Quality management defined most of the methodologies and practices we applied over our Total Quality journey. His influence helped us establish Quality as one of our core values. As a result of Mr. Juran?s direction, we have worked to achieve a global Quality culture, and delivered breakthrough results in Innovation as well as Operations.

Mr. Juran?s global reach and influence will never fully be appreciated, but when measured company by company, team by team, individual by individual and product by product, his impact is clearly worldwide. Corning will greatly miss our friend and champion in Quality. However, our commitment going forward in his memory will be to sustain and extend our application of Quality principles, work to advance the vision of Quality and create another ?Century of Quality.?


On behalf of Corning Incorporated:



Don McCabe
Senior Vice President,
Manufacturing & Performance Excellence
Corning Inc.

Don McCabe, on behalf of Corning Inc., 08-Apr-2008

He was a great man.I learned alot of his unlimited knowledge.All of us will miss him so much and again, he will shine in the new age as a Quality pioneer.
God bless him.
Hooman Nomani
QA Manager

Hooman Nomani, 05-Apr-2008

My sincerely condolonce to his family. Dr. Juran?s invaluable contribution to the world of quality and best practice will be remembered for ever.

Jorge Roman, 02-Apr-2008

Joseph M Juran (1904 ? 2008)

Dr Joseph M Juran, one of quality?s most influential pioneers, transmigrated on Thursday, 28 February, at the age of 103.

Dr Juran. My Guru.

I was at a meeting in Pune, when I received an sms to call back. I did. My daughter, Jigisha, requested me to check my emails from Navin Dhedia, David Hutchins, and Howland Blackiston. I realized the inevitable.

Thoughts from Dr Juran?s Christmas 2006 letter flashed before me. I?d like to share the actual content:

?Another birthday looms ahead. On December 24, I am scheduled to become 102 years old. My wife will do the same next March. We had our 80th wedding anniversary last June. This may be close to a world record.

The new book (a joint project with my grandson David Juran, Ph.D., Cornell) continues to ooze out at a glacial pace. I am producing outlines to be fleshed out by Dr David after I am gone.

My wife and I continue to endure many ailments, aided by medicos and medications. Our quality of life is now poor, but we cling to life ? it remains precious. And we are thankful that our numerous descendants are all alive.

Best wishes for 2007.

Sincerely
J M Juran?

Last Christmas, I did not receive a card from Dr Juran.

On reflecting about the pure-knowledge, global-responsibility, and disciplined-energy of the colossus, my thoughts flowed to the last two paragraphs in ?Architect of Quality?, the autobiography of Dr Joseph M Juran (Tata McGraw-Hill, 2004) that reads as follows:

?So I have come to the end. I close this book with two messages. To those whose careers are in the field of managing for quality: thank your lucky stars. Your field will grow extensively during your life-time, especially in three of our giant industries ? health, education, and government. There will be exciting opportunities for innovation and for service to society.

And to my beloved family: when I am gone, let no one weep for me. I have lived a wonderful life.?

I feel very fortunate to have met and interacted with a man of such Biblical stature. As the Indian international representative of the Juran Institute, I received formal training on the Juran Trilogy from him, Dr Frank Gryna and Frank Tedesco, over the period 1986 to 1996 in Wilton, Paris, and London.

Dr Juran had mastered the art of demystifying the subject of Managing for Quality. His courseware on the subject will remain a benchmark.

In the mid 1990s, I had the privilege of being on the Board of Editors, for Dr Juran?s ?A History of Managing for Quality?, ASQC Quality Press, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, 1995. His systematic search for Indian quality exposed me to his enduring passion: history and anthropology.

In 1996, Dr Juran gave me permission to use his name for a Juran Medal, awarded to a role model statesman for quality in India. His key condition: his name could only be associated with a non-profit organization. The selection process is managed by the Indian Merchants? Chamber (IMC) and the award is named, IMC Juran Medal. This recognition has become a benchmark for quality leaders in India.

Effective 2008, the IMC will host an annual series of seminars on the teachings of Dr Josph M Juran. In the words of Dr Juran, ?Long live the quality revolution?.

To read more tributes on Dr Juran by Indian business leaders please visit:
http://www.domain-b.com/blogs/The_Suresh_Lulla_Blog/default.aspx

Suresh Lulla, Qimpro, India, 02-Apr-2008

Dr. Juran has been and will always continue to be my hero.

It was during the 1980's when working for Mobil Chemical, that I was first exposed to many hours of black and white video's of Dr. Juran presenting his course. While most people were bored with the presentation, it struck a chord deep within me that by following his philosophy, I could be doing a better job as an engineer. I was given an assignment of leading a "Fitness for Use" project on one of our products. I was sent out across the country to learn of our customer's perspective of our product. I followed Dr. Juran's "Planning for Quality" translation of needs to measurements method, and once redesigning the product to meet the customer's needs, delivered millions of dollars of cost savings and increased revenue to the company.

I have gone on to gone to complete my Master Degree in Quality and Applied Statistics, earned four ASQ certifications, and numerous Blackbelt and Master Blackbelt certifications in Lean Six Sigma. It is interesting how so much of the material presented in Six Sigma has roots to Dr. Juran and Dr. Demming.

I have maintained Dr. Juran's autographed portrait on my desk my throughout my career, as he has truly been by mentor.

Thank you Dr. Juran for being such an inspirational influence! I hope to carry your message onward!

Eric Alden
CQE, CQM, CSSBB, CRE

Eric Alden, 31-Mar-2008

I was very saddened to hear of Dr. Juran's passing. He was the last of the three great gurus from the 20th century Quality movement (preceded by Dr. Deming and Phil Crosby).

I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with Dr. Juran several times.

My first meeting was most memorable. I attended a Quality Management seminar given by Dr. Juan in the mid-70's. It was held at the Prince Hotel in Toronto sponsored by the American Management Association (AMA). This is before the founding of the Juran Institute.

I was a heavy smoker at the time (gave t5hat up a long time ago) and walked into class smoking a cigarrette. Boy was I given hell by Dr. Juran. That day at lunch we sat next to each other and became friends. I asked for his autograph in my Quality Manual and then showed him a copy of one of his first books that I had inherited from my father. He got a kick out of that and autographed it as well.

May he rest in Peace!

A. Hau
Cayey, Puerto Rico

A. Hau, 28-Mar-2008

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Joseph Juran, and I want to express my sincere condolences to his family. Over the past few weeks, I have considered the enormous impact that Dr. Juran had on the precepts that shaped my career, the quality profession, and society in general. I have concluded that although we have lost a 'treasure beyond measure', his contributions are certain to carry on and on.

I first became familiar with the words of Dr. Juran in 1978 when I joined ASQ and purchased the Quality Control Handbook (Third Edition). I was fortunate enough to receive mentoring from Dick Bingham, one of the book's associate editors. He encouraged me to pursue quality engineer certification, and he made it clear that studying Juran's writings would be a key pathway to success. This perspective was supported by Dana Cound and Hy Pitt, who also mentored my early years in the profession.

So I registered to take the exam in December 1980, the first time that I met the eligibility requirements. For many months prior , I went to the public library on Saturday mornings and began to read the Handbook, one chapter at a time. Although I had a strong statistics foundation from my college studies, I was a dry sponge waiting to absorb the principles of quality management, and Juran's Handbook provided exactly what I needed.
I learned so much over those months, and those learnings formed the basis for my career. I was particularly affected by Juran's advice about speaking the language of finance and management, which led to studies in business administration and assignments in accounting. Over the years, I came to realize that Juran was advocating for a holistic approach to quality, one that connected with every other function, in its own words, and in a way that created functional and organizational success.

I finally had the opportunity to meet Juran in 1986 at the Annual Quality Conference in Anaheim. It was a brief encounter at a reception, but I still remember how special I felt that he would ask my name and inquire about my company affiliation, work, and ASQ projects. I was nervous, as might be expected, but he seemed genuinely interested, and he encouraged me to keep learning about the field and to stay active in ASQ.

Over the years, I had the opportunity to chat with Dr. Juran and to hear him speak on several occasions. I learned much along the way, and all of it was practical and led to improved performance. I feel certain many others would say the same thing.

I'll close by recounting a story. After he delivered the keynote address at the 1994 Annual Quality Congress in Las Vegas, I was privileged to host Dr. Juran at my table during that day's luncheon and award's ceremony. Among the other attendees at our table were four young men from Indiana who informed us that they were new to the profession and were attending their first quality-related conference. I listened to Dr. Juran ask these new practitioners about their jobs and provide career advice to them. They obviously were a bit awed, but he engaged them in the conversation so completely that they soon were acting as if they were dining with a long-term friend. As I look back on that day, I realize that Dr. Juran had the unique gift of taking a genuine interest in each and every person he met, but even more than that, he conveyed nuggets of wisdom and encouragement in every conversation. For me, that generosity of spirit will always be remembered.

Deborah Hopen, 25-Mar-2008

Some thoughts on Dr. J. M. Juran
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Below are some thoughts and comments, as a personal contribution, to this opportunity offered by ASQ for sharing and reflecting on the man and his work.

Dr. Juran stands out as "one of the vital few". In his case Pareto was wrong, one individual's contribution can be far more than the 20-80 rule. What is the evidence for this? Here are some examples.

1. In 2006, the European Network for Business and Industrial Statistics dedicated a session in it's annual conference to the work of Joseph M. Juran. Among the speakers were Dr. Blan Godfrey, Roger Hoerl, Gerry Hahn and myself. The session begun with a voice recording of an interview conducted with Dr. Juran in 1994. The transcript of the interview and related papers were published and are referenced below. The feedback we got from many participants was that they did not realise how much Juran had influenced their work, implicitly and explicitly.

2. The role of Quality in business and industry has been mostly defined and engineered by J. Juran. Juran was humble enough to attribute the improvement proces he designed to the Japanese. He was claerly the main force behind the idea that improvments happen project by project and that organisations need a structure to launch and sustain such initiatives. This idea is another "universal principle" discovered by Juran that is widely applied in Six Sigma, Lean Sigma etc...

3. Just read the comments below. In particular the comments by Sr. Mary Jean Ryan, FSM, President/CEO, SSM Healthcare who was the first health care organisation to win the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.

4. Again, just read the comments below. Dr. Juran clearly influenced people all over the globe, transcending cultural and national differences. This is a unique characteristic of science. From this perspective, Joe Juran was a true scientist.

5. Time has allowed Joe Juran to view Quality from a unique perspective. This has been documented in books articles and a TV series (see references below).

On a personal level, I will miss his "end of the year" notes. Somehow they seemed personalised and reflected the attention given by Juran on communication and sharing of experience and knowledge. The full chapter on the contribution of Juran in "The History of Quality Management" has yet to be written. I simply think we cannot tell, at this point in time, to what extent he has really influenced the global economy and personal lives of people both as consumers and in management positions. I assume some future researchers will be able to determine that and write about it.

We will miss his presence but his example, as a role model, will stay on as a benchmark of excellence.

Ron S. Kenett, Ph.D.
KPA Ltd., Israel and University of Torino, Italy
Past President of ENBIS

references:

Juran, J.M. (1995), A History of Management for Quality,
edited by J. Juran, Quality Press, 1995.

Juran, J.M. (1996), "Quality: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow", October 1996, PBS and the International Institute for Learning

Godfrey, A.B. and Kenett, R.S. (2007), ?Joseph M. Juran, a perspective on past contributions and future impact?, Quality and Reliability Engineering International, Vol. 23, 653-663.

Kenett, R.S. (2007), "Interview with Dr J.M. Juran on the Occasion of the International Quality Conference in Jerusalem on 8 November 1994", Quality and Reliability Engineering International, Vol. 23, 651-652.

Ron Kenett, 25-Mar-2008

I was fortunate to meet Dr. Juran. I have also met his house in Sepetember, 2002 presenting Special Recognition award to Dr. Juran on behalf of ASQ North East Quality Council. As NEQC Chair, I interviewed Dr. Juran on quality matters and challenges and strategies in the businesses about Management of the Quality. It was very inspired moments and his words of wisdom.
Dr. Juran and Juran Institute always been supporter of North East Quality Council and his presence will be missed by all of us. I always used his books, tapes and other publications. I always liked his principles and philosophies.
We have advanced in quality compared to many years before becuase of his contribution.
Thanks,
Jay P. Patel, NEQC Chair, ASQ Fellow.
Phone; 5089873800 E Mail: info@neqc.org

Jay P. Patel, 24-Mar-2008

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grixepipleree, 23-Mar-2008

The whole world feels a great loss with
Dr. Joseph M. Juran's departure from
this world to the eternity. He was a
towering personality with an ability
to accomplish a lot for the betterment
of humankind.

The world has been rewarded with his
untiring work, innovative ideas and approaches,
creative way to give the message and much
more.

I met Juran personally when I took a class from
him at Woldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City
during 1982. His message on quality and career
growth was very clear, which I remember to day.

I met Juran many times during ASQ's World
Congress in May. His speech in Las Vegas on the

lessons of history was remarkable. Very recently,
I sat on the same table as Dr. Juran was sitting
at a Dinner Reception held in his honor of Juran
Medal during ASQ's Annual Quality Congress in May.

We have lost a great personality and the
world will remember him forever.

We all pray for an eternal peace to the departed
soul.

Navin S. Dedhia, 19-Mar-2008

One of my most prized possessions is a tattered, marked-up copy of Joe Juran's 1979 Handbook. It contains every major tool that is now arrayed as "Six Sigma," except the DMAIC process, which he would gladly cede as a conceptulization of Bill Smith.

Barry Johnson, 18-Mar-2008

When i used to hear Juran's name, it was like legend in quality field. I thought he must have died long ago thats why his name is very important. But when i saw , oh he died in feb 2008, i was shocked and realized that only few people get that respect and prestige in thier lives among common people.
God bless his soul

Irfan, 17-Mar-2008

Dr.Juran has been a great inspirer for me, ever since I read his Quality handbook two decades ago. I consider him as the initiator of the modern scientific global Quality revolution. Although he has lived a full and highly meaningful life, it gives a sad feeling that he is not with us in this world any longer. The best tribute to Dr.Juran by Quality professionals is to pursue the commitments to Quality at all levels of life.

R.Venugopal
HOV Services Ltd,
India

R.Venugopal, 17-Mar-2008

Till my career took "turn" to Quality management, in 1991, I had not knwn about Dr. Juran. But since them I have learnt a lot from his articles, books, Juran's web site, latest book Architect of Qualty....). Dr. Juran's The Quality Control Handbook is my permanent companion.

Every time I read his work, I am simply amazed with his claity of thought, ease of explanation, depth of knowledge, exmaples to make it easy to udnerstand...... After reading, I will wonder " it is so simple, why did'nt I think of it myself " or " so beautifully and simply explained". I must have quoed/ advised hudnreds of my friends, Managers, Quality profesisonals.....to read Dr. Juran' work. Which I will continue to do so. I contine to get very inspired by his work.

He made tremendous contribution i this world. We all owe him a lot for his contributions.

When Dr. Juran completed 100 years, I prayed to GOD for his long and healthy life. After his death, I feel we do not have any living Quality Guru who can match his stature, maturity, intelligence, depth of knowledge....I shall ever miss him. Thank GOD he penned down his work which will continue to guide us in decades to come.

Sunil Thawani, ASQ Country Councilor, United Arab Emirates.

Sunil Thawani, 15-Mar-2008

A profound momemt to remember the great works of JM Juran. Juran and Deming are the two most prominent pillars of the quality movement. Both lived long and together contributed substantially in almost every area of quality engineering and management. Although I only met Juran once in the 1994 ASQC quality congress, I use his Quality books extensively -for example in the 1988 CQE exams. Juran's ideas and principles for quality and process improvement will surely continue to influence practitioners and quality leaders for many years to come. Thank you Dr. Juran!

HonSung Yong, 15-Mar-2008

I had the privilege and honor of being a student in Dr. Juran's Management of Quality course in 1982. His associate, Dr. Gryna was his co-instructor. This was my introduction to the field of quality, and it could not have been better.

Dr. Juran was very energetic, carrying his leather valise into the course each morning and promptly starting each session on time. Dr. Juran thoughtfully addressed each question from the students, and wrote each one on a 3 x 5 card, a pack of the cards was always close at hand. Dr. Juran had a meal with small groups of students throughout the course, so we got personal time with him.

A few years later, I had the opportunity to present a paper at Impro 87, a conference started by Juran Institute. Once again, I got an opportunity to spend time with Dr. Juran and by identifying my company, Dr. Juran quickly remembered us. I was constantly amazed by his intellect and his memory. It seems that for each question we had, Dr. Juran could recall a situation similar in nature and an application to solve the problem we had.

Dr. Juran was truly one of those great people that impacted our civilization in such a positive way, that we will sorely miss him. But, as great his intellect, he respected each individual he met.

The books Dr. Juran autographed for me will always be treasured. I will miss him.

Edwin Bills, 13-Mar-2008

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of Dr. Joseph Juran. Yet our sadness was tempered with the thought that his was a life well lived. And the fact that he died at the age of 103 knowing that he had made a considerable difference in the world is consolation for so many of us.

Although I never had the honor of meeting Dr. Juran, his work was vital to SSM Health Care as we stretched ourselves to improve our care to our patients. When we implemented continuous quality improvement across our system in 1990, we used Dr. Juran?s Quality Improvement Tool Kit. To this day, we use his basic tools in our CQIplus curriculum. I can say in all honesty that SSM Health Care is a better organization today because of Joseph Juran.

Not only was Dr. Juran one of the leading thinkers of our times, he had an amazing amount of energy. The fact that he founded the Juran Institute at the age of 75 is a great inspiration to those of us approaching that age. He demonstrated that a person?s contribution to society is not limited by age.

Joseph Juran?s motives were inspiring. The purpose of the Juran Institute was to improve the quality of society. It is especially heartening that Dr. Juran believed to the core of his soul that improvement had to be motivated by the desire to improve society; improvement should never be solely for the sake of profit.

At SSM Health Care, we will be forever grateful to this extraordinary man because his work helped us deliver far better care to our patients. Dr. Juran?s gifts to the world have been vast, and we pray that his work will inspire generations far into the future.

Sr. Mary Jean Ryan, FSM, President/CEO, SSM Healthcare, 13-Mar-2008

I had the privilege of participating in the workshops of Dr Juran, Dr Ellis Ott and Dr Kenneth S Stephens back in 1961-62 when they came on United Nation's Mission on Quality Management in New Delhi and at the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, India.

Dr Juran's Control and Managerial Breakthrough strategy for improvong performance is instrumental in my career advancement.

I cherish my memories with these stalwart mentors that have shown me the path of improving the best.

Narayen Ugar
March 13, 2008

Narayen Ugar, 13-Mar-2008

Memory of Dr. Joseph M. Juran

In his long life devoted to quality, Dr. Juran's influence on the progress of quality has been immense. His clear thinking, analytical talent and eminent way of communicating (orally, as well as in writing) help to explain his great influence on the existing body of knowledge in the field of quality science. Dr. Juran's contribution ranges over the years from the meaning of quality to Six Sigma.

Dr. Juran is the person, outside my family, who has had the greatest influence on my life, both professionally and personally. The first time I met him was 1965. He was my mentor for almost 40 years. According to his memoirs he visited Sweden 31 times. It was a delight for me to organize his courses and seminars in Sweden from 1966 to 1991. These events gave me a tremendous insight in Dr Juran's thinking and philosophy. The meetings didn't just mean being together professionally, but also personally. My wife and I had the pleasure to have Dr. Juran several times as guest in our home. A personal and warm friendship emerged. He showed a keen interest in the children. When I met him at conferences, he used to ask about the children and always recalled the names of them.

Introduced to Dr. Juran 1965

The first time I met Dr. Juran was at the EOQC conference held in Rotterdam, Holland in 1965. Having been the Corporate Quality Manager for the Swedish household appliance manufacturer Electrolux since 1961, I was invited to speak on the approach to quality taken by Electrolux. Supported by top management, I had the privilege of changing the prevailing inspection oriented culture to a preventive and improvement oriented culture. In this work I was very much stimulated and influenced by Dr. Juran's writings; mainly his Quality Control Handbook, which became an important source of information and inspiration for me.

At the conference I was introduced to Dr. Juran. This was certainly a great moment in the life of a young quality practitioner. I told Dr. Juran that I was supposed to go to the United States a month later in order to study quality management for half a year. He became very interested in my coming studies and said "Give me a call when you have arrived at Rutgers University." Of course, I did and I was after that several times a guest in his home. The visits to his home laid the foundation for a long friendship and fruitful cooperation. The visits gave me also the great pleasure of getting to know a charming lady, Mrs. Juran.

European Conference in Stockholm 1966

As a member of the board of the European quality conference to be held in Stockholm, Sweden in 1966, I invited Dr. Juran to speak at the conference. He accepted this invitation with great pleasure.

The Stockholm conference became a historical conference; since it was the first time the growing Japanese development in quality was discussed outside Japan. Dr. Juran came more or less directly from a visit to Japan; highly impressed by the way the Japanese improved quality. In particular improvement work done by workers in teams, what later became called quality circles, attracted his interest. Dr. Juran described in detail how a group of young girls in an assembly department for car radios improved the attachment of knobs.

Dr. Juran's presentation received a lot of attention. It led to an extra session dealing solely with the quality circle story in Japan, being set up. Among the contributors in this session, besides Dr. Juran, was Dr. Kaoru Ishikawa. Dr. Juran made a prediction at that occasion, still fresh in my memory, "The way the Japanese are now working, they will become the world leaders in quality twenty years from now, if we in the West are not doing anything. There is no doubt about it!" Dr. Juran's prediction was correct.

In connection with the conference, Dr. Juran visited the head quarters of Electrolux, where he gave a highly praised seminar for top management. The seminar inspired in a tangible way the quality development of the company.

Many visits to Sweden

Dr. Juran recalls in his memoirs "Advocate of Quality" that he paid 31 visits to Sweden. The background was that I in 1971 left Electrolux to become a quality consultant. Inspired by Dr. Juran, I thought consulting to be a challenging career. When I informed him about my plans, he immediately responded: "Good! Then I will come to Sweden to give my courses and seminars. You organize them!" This was a great offer for a fresh consultant. It turned out in this way, which meant that I came in very close contact with Dr. Juran's thinking and philosophy.

From 1973, during a period of almost two decades, Dr. Juran came to Sweden every year - most years twice. His lecturing had a great impact on the quality development of the Swedish industry. Dr. Juran inspired thousands of managers and quality practitioners to work in a better way to improve quality. His visits were not limited to public courses and seminars. They also included visits to major Swedish companies for consultation and lecturing. When meeting with upper managers Dr. Juran asked them to state the three most serious quality problems for their company. This was his advice to me as a consultant in order to find out how much the managers really knew about the quality situation. "If they don't give a tangible answer, they don't know much about what is going on." Dr. Juran claimed.

Juran's visits to Sweden came to an end in 1991. He had then decided not to travel internationally any longer. I recall Juran saying, "I am in good health, so failing health is not a reason for my decision. But at my age I have to prioritize what I am doing. I have 50 years of work in front of me. Travelling takes to much time, I have to stop it." His "Farewell tour to Europe" in 1991 included top management seminars in London, Paris and Stockholm.

Dr. Juran had the talent to captivate an audience. Everybody attending a course or a seminar listened to him with the greatest interest, even if the course lasted for five days. His lectures were well structured, starting very often with examples from his own consulting work and thereafter generalizing a conclusion on the topic in question. This was an approach that was very much appreciated by an audience involved in practical work. The attendees could easily relate Dr. Juran's teaching to their own work situation and find useful ideas for development. He didn't need to use any conspicuous means for catching the interest of the audience. He just sat next to the overhead projector for the whole session talking and writing on a roll of transparent film, occasionally supplementing it by showing a transparency. Punctuality was important. Even if the lecture room was half filled at the time of starting a lecture, he started. "Next lecture, they will be on time" was his comment. The latecomers quickly learnt the lesson. Not only starting on time but also terminating on time was important. So Dr. Juran set an alarm clock to ring five minutes before the break.

Dr. Juran and developing countries

Early in my consulting career I got interested in developing countries. In order to get financial support for my idea of offering training in quality for these countries, I approached United Nations and the Swedish governmental agency providing aid to developing countries. The responses were positive. This was the starting point for a lot of training programs conducted for managers and engineers in developing countries. The programs ranged from one-day top management seminars to ten-week courses for quality managers. During the years more than 10,000 people from about 100 countries attended these programs.

When I talked to Dr. Juran about my plans, he became very interested - "I want to be there and meet these people." He then offered to come to Stockholm, free of charge, to have discussions with the first group of young quality practitioners who came from different countries in Africa, Asia, The Caribbean and South America. Dr. Juran very much enjoyed the discussions, which meant that he came back to some future courses.

The national organizations for standardization started in the 1970's to play an important role in the development of quality in developing countries. Dr. Juran had some doubts about the role of national standardization in the context of quality control in companies. After having presented the phases of industrial development from subsistence economy to production of sophisticated products for the international market, Dr. Juran got, as he stated it, a "flash of illumination" from a young gentleman from the Jamaican Bureau of Standardization. In a graphical way, this gentleman started to discuss the changing role of the standards organizations in the different phases of development. In the following discussion the chart was refined further. The discussion led to a pioneering article about standardization and quality (J. M. Juran, "Standardization and Quality", Quality Progress, February, 1975). In the article, Dr. Juran gives full credit to the Jamaican course participant.
This episode showed that Dr. Juran was a good listener and had an eye for new thinking.

Dr. Juran's Quality Handbook

Dr. Juran published the first edition of his handbook in 1951. Four editions have followed. The different editions include contributions from many specialists. It was with great pride I accepted Dr. Juran's request in 1969 for my contribution to the third edition with a chapter on quality in the household appliance industry (based on my experience with Electrolux). I am sure that the other contributing authors felt in the same way. For the following two editions he asked me to contribute with a chapter on quality in developing countries. Dr. Juran was very systematic in the preparation of a new edition. He continuously collected and structured material (articles, own observations, interviews, etc.). This became a useful input for the contributing authors' work. Dr. Juran was very engaged in how the chapters developed.

Video based training "Juran on Quality Improvement"

At the end of the 1970's, when more and more industrial executives realized that the Japanese competition forced them to do something to improve quality, I remember Dr. Juran saying that he got so many requests for lecturing that he was unable to cope with them. The solution he found was to "lecture by electronic means". His course "Management of Quality" became a test site for the first videotape. In order not to interfere with course timetable, he showed a test version after class. He invited the course participants to give criticism. Based on the feedback, Dr. Juran made improvements before he launched the tapes as an integrated part of his video based training program "Juran on Quality Improvement". This became a success, used among others by Motorola in their improvement work (later called Six Sigma). Electrolux translated the program into Swedish and it contributed considerably to the success of the company's extensive improvement program carried out in 1981 to 1984.

Juran Institute

When the matter of having a consulting company of his own was brought up, Dr. Juran used to say that he was against it. "I want to be free. A consulting company will master me. I am happily engaged in consulting, training and writing. A consulting company will force me to reduce the time for this interesting work." For many years Dr. Juran (supported in the office by Mrs. Juran) did the professional work alone. The increasing demand for his services and the launching of video based training forced Dr. Juran late in the 1970's, however, to reconsider the matter. He created in 1979 the Juran Institute. Dr. Juran gave me an offer to join the staff of the new institute. This was really a tempting challenge. But leaving Sweden for the United States was a too sweeping move. Instead my company (Sandholm Associates) and the Juran Institute developed a successful co-operation. Sandholm Associates became the first international representative of the Juran Institute (representing the Nordic countries of Europe).

"I have had a wonderful life"

Dr. Juran was a brilliant speaker even when the topic was not related to quality management. I remember very well a luncheon speak he gave at a Juran Institute conference in Chicago in 1988. He talked in a captivating way on how he as a poor immigrant early in the last century grew up in the outskirts of Minneapolis. Almost all the eyes in the large audience became wet. Dr. Juran ended off by saying "When I have gone, don't cry for me. I have had a wonderful life."

I will forever remember Dr. Juran with deep gratitude.

Sincerely,

Lennart Sandholm
Fellow
Grant and Lancaster medallist
American Society for Quality, 12-Mar-2008

It is indeed an honor to make this humble contribution to the letter tributes to the life and work of one of our greatest pioneers and quality proponents, Dr. Joseph Juran, on his passing from us. It has been a blessing in many ways to have known Joe over the past 50 years, and in particular to have worked with him in the compilation of the materials for our IAQ volume dedicated to his life and works on the occasion of his century of life, Volume 15 of our Best on Quality series, Juran, Quality, and a Century of Improvement, which I was honored to serve as editor. He also was a contributor to our 2002 publication, Volume 13, The Best On Quality -- Targets, Improvements, Systems, for which I also served as editor. This volume was a tribute issue to Dr. Armand Val Feigenbaum, Dr. Karou Ishikawa, and Dr. Walter Masing. Juran's contribution was a biographical supplement to the Ishikawa portion on the translation into English by John Howard Loftus of Ishikawa's book, Introduction to Quality Control.

I want to use this occasion to repeat some portions of the Preface written for the Volume 15 tribute to Juran as it summarizes major portions of his contributions to our philosophy and discipline, as follows:

Volume 15 of the International Academy for Quality's (IAQ) annual series, The Best on Quality, is a tribute issue to the person and works of Joseph M. Juran. It features biographical and bibliographical information on Joe Juran and his longevity in the quality profession, together with enormous contributions to the quality disciplines.
For over three-quarters of a century the quality discipline, which isn't much older than that itself, has been blessed by the person and dynamics of Dr. Joseph M. Juran. His philosophies and contributions to the quality disciplines, his longevity as a contributor, and his vision in managing for quality, have had significant influences on the world of quality, in particular, contributing to make the world a better place via the quality profession.

SECTION I: TRIBUTE TO DR. JOSEPH M. JURAN

The volume is divided into two major sections. The first section, Tribute to Dr. Joseph M. Juran, contains biographical information as well as a brief account of his major contributions via the Juran Institute, the Juran Foundation leading to the Juran Center for Leadership in Quality at the University of Minnesota (his alma mater), and the Juran Medal, established in his honor by the American Society for Quality. These are followed by brief accounts by fellow IAQ academicians of his global influence, especially in Europe (Sweden, in particular) and Japan.
Because these chapters in the first section of this volume contain information that has not been published previously about the life and work of Joe Juran, they represent valuable reading to gain further insight into and about the 'Architect of Quality.'
In particular, Chapter 2, 'Juran Institute', is an accounting of the formation and growth of the Juran Institute and the man who developed it. The story is told by four authors who have had affiliation with Joe Juran and the Juran Institute.
Another significant legacy that is associated with Joe Juran is The Center for Leadership in Quality in the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. Chapter 3, "The Juran Center for Leadership in Quality," is a reasonably complete synopsis of the formation of the Center and the continuing work of its namesake being carried out well into the future, with every intention of making the management of quality even better and more effective in serving society in future generations. This chapter contains a biographical sketch of Joe Juran and concludes with an address by Joe Juran as late as 2002 on a "Call for Action in Leadership for Quality." This address goes beyond the time range of the selected papers of Joe Juran presented in Section II (Chapters 6 through 18) and should be studied together with these earlier papers.
Chapter 4, "The Juran Medal and CEO Recipients-An Enduring Monument to Dr. Joseph M. Juran," is about the award medal established in his name by the American Society for Quality. Significant to the work carried out and the contributions made to the disciplines of quality is that this award is intended for corporate CEOs who have made strides in "managing for quality." Already four such CEOs have been recognized via the Juran Medal, and Chapter 4 contains cogent remarks by these executives.
Chapter 5, "Global Influence," is devoted to a brief accounting of the "global" influence of Joe Juran, with papers by two academicians of IAQ who have had frequent and long associations with Joe Juran on two major continents, Europe and Japan.

SECTION II: SELECTED WORKS OF DR. JOSEPH M. JURAN

The second section of this volume is devoted to a selection of papers written and published (and/or presented) by Dr. Joseph M. Juran spanning a period from 1964 through 1994; this is considerably less than his effective contributory span (see also Chapter 3 for a 2002 address). These papers have been selected to demonstrate his contributions, his thinking and philosophy, his growth, and his insights into the field of "managing for quality."
One might argue that one of Joe Juran's greatest achievements during his long and prolific career has been his ability to serve as a go-between, mediator, and ombudsman with quality professional and top management personnel. He was quite at home with a group of quality professionals, with his understanding of the quality discipline and his ability to voice so eloquently its principles, concepts, techniques, and methodologies, many of which he developed. He was equally at home with one or more top management personnel, with his understanding of their language and his ability to translate the language of quality into their terms of reference. He recognized and dealt with top management's deficiencies in understanding the strategic importance of the quality function and of quality to their customers and to their bottom line. It is this unique characteristic of Dr. Juran that is evident in the first selected paper for this tribute volume, namely, his paper in Chapter 6, "The Two Worlds of Quality Control." This paper is both historical and informative and should be read, regardless of its age. Its principles are universal and classic. It is good parallel reading with the paper of Chapter 13.

I cherish my copy of this volume which Joe was so kind to autograph. The whole quality discipline should recognize and remember a Giant among us.

Kenneth Stephens, 12-Mar-2008

Dr. Juran was one of the most significant influences on my professional development. Early in my career as a young quality manager, I was fortunate to benefit from his published work and lectures: Juran's Quality Planning & Analysis provided me with a holistic approach for enterprise-wide quality improvement and I found Juran's Quality Handbook to be the most comprehensive body of knowledge for our profession. My personal philosophy was heavily influenced by Dr. Juran's lectures because he blended the science of quality methods with the important attributes of quality leadership. Throughout my career I was inspired by Dr. Juran's passion for giving people the knowledge to improve their personal lives and the organizations they serve. Dr. Juran's contributions are the foundation for modern management practices and his leadership was truly transformational.

John C. Timmerman, Vice President, Quality & Program Management, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. , 12-Mar-2008

Think globally, Act Locally.
We heared about death of global quality Guru Dr Juran.in our class TQM on last sunday in INDIA. We pay tribute to great quality guru.As a quality profesional I have done 4
projects and save lot of money by appling Dr. juran philosphpy. Dr juran give us path to save waste globally.

Daljit Singh ASQ member from India.

DALJIT SINGH, 12-Mar-2008

I am really sorry to here that he is gone. I have opportunity to meet Mr. Juran first time in Former Yugoslavia in 1972 during his promotions of Quality Year in Dubrovnik and last time at his last visit and lecturing in London. His influence on my personal education and practice is really great and high. His lecturing attitude on video "Meeting the completive challenge" I have and use is my favorite. I am returning on it every time when in professional sense I need some help and advice.

He will alweays be very popular here in Serbia.

Vladimir Simic
Belgrade, 12. 03 2008

Vladimir Simic, 12-Mar-2008

I once had the unique opportunity to interview with Dr. Juran for a job at the Institute. What a thrill! The interview took about 45 minutes. Dr. Juran's last question to me was "Mr. Holm, do you have any ghosts in your closet?" Surprised by this complete change of subject, I stumbled and said, "No sir, I do not!"

I will miss Dr. Juran, as we all do, but will never forget that interview.

ROBERT HOLM, QualityAdvantage, 11-Mar-2008

I met Dr. Juran on December 27, 1976. I came to dinner at his New York Apartment. It was under the most delightful of circumstances. I had recently met and fallen in love with his first granddaughter, Joy. My visits to Juran's apartment became frequent (Joy was living there).



A couple of years later he launched Juran Institute, and he invited me to become its first employee. I had the great honor of working with him for over 30 years, and participating in countless family gatherings.



In reading through the many tributes posted on this page, a lot has been said about Dr. Juran's significant contributions to quality and the business world. Indeed his impact on industry has been profound.



But I'd like to address a different kind of contribution. No less profound. But easy to overlook against the extent of his influence on so many companies.



Dr. Juran also changed many lives.



He did so through his books, videos, recordings, papers and public addresses. He did so by simply striking up a conversation with a stranger at a conference.



He changed lives by setting an extraordinary example. Through his deeds. His generosity. His wisdom. His unselfish focus on humanity. And his unrelenting goal to pay back a debt to society for the opportunities presented to him over the years. Everything he said or did represented the kind of human qualities we would all like to emulate.



So the business accolades are true?.many companies have improved. Nations have turned themselves around. And managers have learned new ways to make their companies more competitive. But there are many thousands of individuals who are deeply grateful that they came in touch with Dr. Juran, because quite simply, he improved the quality of their lives.

Howland Blackiston, 11-Mar-2008

To World Quality Society

Dear Colleagues!

On behalf of the Russian Organization for Quality we condole with you upon the loss of Dr. Juran.

Born more than a century ago, he was a witness of two World Wars and multiple revolutions in all spheres of life. One of those revolutionary changes that totally transformed the approaches to the management of economical and social processes will be forever associated with the name of Joseph M. Juran. Author of the Total Quality Management, he changed the traditional vision of what quality means for business. He shifted the quality related problems from inspectorates to the offices of top management.

Dr. Juran's name is widely recognized in Russia, it frequently appears on the pages of our quality press. His books have been translated into Russian and published in mass circulations. The fundamental investigation "A History of Management for Quality", created under his guidance - translated and published at the initiative and with support of the Russian Organization for Quality - generated great interest not only of our quality professionals, but also of the widest spectrum of Russian readers.

All quality management activists of Russia bow their heads to the memory of our great contemporary.



President of the Russian Organization for Quality Gennady Voronin

Vice-President of Russian Organization for Quality Natalia Tomson

Executive director of Russian Organization for Quality Yury Samoylov

Russian Organization for Quality, 10-Mar-2008

Joseph M. Juran, this great man and Quality pioneer, has now left us. His legacy, however, remains. While not all professionals, Quality or other, may truly appreciate the depth of wisdom this Quality "Guru" has shared with us, no one can argue the immense impact he has had on our global society. It is indeed a time well worth reflecting on his teachings and deciding on how to keep his very human principles alive.

Raymond E. Dyer, ASQ Senior Member, CMQ/OE, & CQA

Raymond E. Dyer, 07-Mar-2008

A lot of my formation like mining engineer was get learning about quality and Dr. Juran. Heaven will get better.

Joaquim Donizetti Donda, CQE , 07-Mar-2008

I had the privilege of attending a course given by Dr. Juran in Sao Paulo in 1976. Dr. Juran was the father of most of the quality concepts we have today. His concept of fitness for use was very important to bring quality to a more broad view, starting with the quality of the design. His emphasis on the use of the Paretto principle in the analysis of manufacturing problems has also been a great contribution the problem solving techniques.The world misses great practical thinkers like Dr. Juran.

Fabio E. Peake Braga , 07-Mar-2008

I wish to join with all the people throughout the world who in one way or another were
contemplated with the benefits of his teachings and writings and made use in his daily activities whether in the professional field or in his personnel life, as I have done.
His words and attitudes are more then just teachings they are references that will stay firm always.
Please carry this modest homage to ASQ office following the procedures.

Augusto Cezar Maia Hegouet, CQE, 07-Mar-2008

We regret receiving the message of Mr. Juran's passing. His work will be shared among us.

Francisco S?, 07-Mar-2008

With sorrow , I feel terribly sorry for Dr. Juran's passing. However thinking in a positive perspective we all must have learned with his thoughts the importance of quality in every kind of organization , from industry to sports , from health care to public service.

Roberto Augusto Selvi Daniel, 07-Mar-2008

I am very, very sad with the death of Mr. Juran.
The world society will not forget his value.

Carlos Cesar Micalli Cantu, 07-Mar-2008

Congratulations Mr. Quality,
Quality in process, quality in control, quality in management. But, the most important is quality in life, the only way to reach a well lived 103 years.

Roger Chrispim, 07-Mar-2008

The work and ideas that Dr. Juran presented so clearly throughout his life have been like a beacon over my professional career. I still remember the first time I found his Quality Handbook and the wealth of practical information it contained. Up to this day I still refer to that handbook as a training tool to young engineers in my team and to his work as an example of how things should be presented, no matter how complex they looked in the first place, he always found a way to extract the main concepts and lead you into understanding the process steps for the solution you needed. A true professional, his examples and writings will be missed.

Valmy A.G. Oliveira, 07-Mar-2008

The first time I met Dr. Juran was at a seminar he conducted in 1980 at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. He was a class person with a love of America and wonderful sense of humor.
I asked Dr. Juran, "How do you select members of a team to solve a chronic problem?" He said to me, "Remember the line in the movie, Casablanca, 'Round-up the usual suspects'." You know, he wasn't too far off.
Dr. Juran always graciously answered my correspondence and encourage me when I was deciding on becoming a consultant. When I think of the vital few people in my life, Dr. Juran is right up there.

Ron Sedlock, the quality Catalyst, 07-Mar-2008

Another QUALITY GURU has died! Nonetheless, his legacy is intact and will be a reference for ever and ever! those who had the luck to meet him in life and also meet the other QUALITY GURU Edward Deming know how much they both contributed to a huge amount of improvements for people, companies and countries! GOD is their witness! Peace to their soul! and grateful reencounter with Dr Deming!

Anibal Cardenas
ASQ Venezuela Councilor

Anibal Cardenas, 07-Mar-2008

Memories of Dr. Joseph M. Juran,

As many other past-Presidents of the Society had done before me, I made a pilgrimage to Wilton, Connecticut to visit with Dr. Juran to ask for advice on what I should consider doing as President of ASQC (this was before the name change for ASQ). We spent a most enjoyable day together as he told me about his view on the history of ASQ and he described to me in great detail what he though the role of the Society should be and how it should focus on promoting quality both nationally and globally. In fact, at times, I felt a bit embarrassed as he chided me for not having more "real things" that the Society had accomplished to move the management of quality forward.

At the end of my presidency we invited Dr. Juran to deliver the closing address at the conference, and, as these things somehow do happen, the lights went out mid-way during his speech. Afterwards, Dr. Juran told me that it wasn't a very quality way to run a speech and that we should have managed better! He did so with a lot of truthfulness and a touch of humor. Even though I still don't know what I could have done, it made me realize that quality of management means that we consider managing everything with quality.

While the lights may have been extinguished momentarily on one speech by Dr. Juran, I can honestly say that his words have shed a world of light to all of mankind and that his wisdom will continue to light the world for many generations to come.

Thank you Dr. Juran for being such a caring, insightful and gracious leader of our quality community and for being a mentor to countless quality professionals. Without you we would all be diminished in our knowledge and due to you we are all much richer.


Sincerely,


Spencer Hutchens
Past-President and Fellow, American Society for Quality
Past-President and Chairman, International Academy for Quality

spencer hutchens, 07-Mar-2008

Juran is a Quality Sun,which will shine in ages to come.

Girish Trehan, 07-Mar-2008

It is indeed an honor to make this humble contribution to the letter tributes to the life and work of one of our greatest pioneers and quality proponents, Dr. Joseph Juran, on his passing from us. It has been a blessing in many ways to have known Joe over the past 50 years, and in particular to have worked with him in the compilation of the materials for our IAQ volume dedicated to his life and works on the occasion of his century of life, Volume 15 of our Best on Quality series, Juran, Quality, and a Century of Improvement, which I was honored to serve as editor. He also was a contributor to our 2002 publication, Volume 13, The Best On Quality -- Targets, Improvements, Systems, for which I also served as editor. This volume was a tribute issue to Dr. Armand Val Feigenbaum, Dr. Karou Ishikawa, and Dr. Walter Masing. Juran's contribution was a biographical supplement to the Ishikawa portion on the translation into English by John Howard Loftus of Ishikawa's book, Introduction to Quality Control.

I want to use this occasion to repeat some portions of the Preface written for the Volume 15 tribute to Juran as it summarizes major portions of his contributions to our philosophy and discipline, as follows:

"Volume 15 of the International Academy for Quality's (IAQ) annual series, The Best on Quality, is a tribute issue to the person and works of Joseph M. Juran. It features biographical and bibliographical information on Joe Juran and his longevity in the quality profession, together with enormous contributions to the quality disciplines."
For over three-quarters of a century the quality discipline, which isn't much older than that itself, has been blessed by the person and dynamics of Dr. Joseph M. Juran. His philosophies and contributions to the quality disciplines, his longevity as a contributor, and his vision in managing for quality, have had significant influences on the world of quality, in particular, contributing to make the world a better place via the quality profession.

SECTION I: TRIBUTE TO DR. JOSEPH M. JURAN

"The volume is divided into two major sections. The first section, Tribute to Dr. Joseph M. Juran, contains biographical information as well as a brief account of his major contributions via the Juran Institute, the Juran Foundation leading to the Juran Center for Leadership in Quality at the University of Minnesota (his alma mater), and the Juran Medal, established in his honor by the American Society for Quality. These are followed by brief accounts by fellow IAQ academicians of his global influence, especially in Europe (Sweden, in particular) and Japan.
"Because these chapters in the first section of this volume contain information that has not been published previously about the life and work of Joe Juran, they represent valuable reading to gain further insight into and about the "Architect of Quality."
"In particular, Chapter 2, 'Juran Institute,' is an accounting of the formation and growth of the Juran Institute and the man who developed it. The story is told by four authors who have had affiliation with Joe Juran and the Juran Institute.
"Another significant legacy that is associated with Joe Juran is The Center for Leadership in Quality in the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. Chapter 3, "The Juran Center for Leadership in Quality," is a reasonably complete synopsis of the formation of the Center and the continuing work of its namesake being carried out well into the future, with every intention of making the management of quality even better and more effective in serving society in future generations. This chapter contains a biographical sketch of Joe Juran and concludes with an address by Joe Juran as late as 2002 on a "Call for Action in Leadership for Quality." This address goes beyond the time range of the selected papers of Joe Juran presented in Section II (Chapters 6 through 18) and should be studied together with these earlier papers.
"Chapter 4, "The Juran Medal and CEO Recipients-An Enduring Monument to Dr. Joseph M. Juran," is about the award medal established in his name by the American Society for Quality. Significant to the work carried out and the contributions made to the disciplines of quality is that this award is intended for corporate CEOs who have made strides in "managing for quality." Already four such CEOs have been recognized via the Juran Medal, and Chapter 4 contains cogent remarks by these executives.
"Chapter 5, "Global Influence," is devoted to a brief accounting of the "global" influence of Joe Juran, with papers by two academicians of IAQ who have had frequent and long associations with Joe Juran on two major continents, Europe and Japan.

SECTION II: SELECTED WORKS OF DR. JOSEPH M. JURAN

"The second section of this volume is devoted to a selection of papers written and published (and/or presented) by Dr. Joseph M. Juran spanning a period from 1964 through 1994; this is considerably less than his effective contributory span (see also Chapter 3 for a 2002 address). These papers have been selected to demonstrate his contributions, his thinking and philosophy, his growth, and his insights into the field of "managing for quality."
"One might argue that one of Joe Juran's greatest achievements during his long and prolific career has been his ability to serve as a go-between, mediator, and ombudsman with quality professional and top management personnel. He was quite at home with a group of quality professionals, with his understanding of the quality discipline and his ability to voice so eloquently its principles, concepts, techniques, and methodologies, many of which he developed. He was equally at home with one or more top management personnel, with his understanding of their language and his ability to translate the language of quality into their terms of reference. He recognized and dealt with top management's deficiencies in understanding the strategic importance of the quality function and of quality to their customers and to their bottom line. It is this unique characteristic of Dr. Juran that is evident in the first selected paper for this tribute volume, namely, his paper in Chapter 6, "The Two Worlds of Quality Control." This paper is both historical and informative and should be read, regardless of its age. Its principles are universal and classic. It is good parallel reading with the paper of Chapter 13."

I cherish my copy of this volume which Joe was so kind to autograph. The whole quality discipline should recognize and remember a Giant among us.

Ken Stephens, 07-Mar-2008

As one whose career has been heavily influenced by 'Joe' Juran, I offer my sincere condolence to his family, friends and all who knew him as a giant in the 'quality' world.

In his early days, he realized the need for a quality consciousness at all levels of management (i.e., manufacturing, service, government etc.). From his own experience, he was able to share his passion for fulfilling that need. In time, the uninitiated began to understand his message. The young, with his guidance (Juran Institute, Quality Handbook, etc.), gained an appreciation for the role of quality thinking in improving management practices. Today, some of these who are no longer as young are more likely to be inclined to follow the approach that Dr. Juran had espoused as a writer, speaker and consultant (mentor).

He was a no-nonsense kind of person working in the quality vineyard - a true 'guru'. In recognition of his strong world-wide effect on the way business should be conducted, Dr. Juran was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Center for Quality and Applied Statistics at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Sadly, as all mortals do, Dr. Juran has passed on, but his legacy will live on. He has left his mark - an indelible one! He takes his place among the few truly great leaders of sound quality practices in our time.

John D. Hromi, D.Engr., 07-Mar-2008

The first time I was impressed by Dr. Juran goes back to 1994 and his article published at Quality Progress, August Issue, based on the presentation he had on May 24, 1994 at ASQC Annual Quality Congress. The last sentences were very important to me as the final message of the speech of a true quality leader with almost 80 years of hard work in this field. It reads: "All of you attending this congress have an interest in the subject of managing for quality. Some of you are fully immersed in it. I believe I can safely promise you that it will continue to grow during your lifetime and will offer exciting challenges as well as drudgery. I hope that during your own journey, you, too, will avail yourself of the opportunities provided by ASQC and other professional societies to gain from sharing experiences with others in the field. And I hope that, you, too, will come to relish the exhilaration of contributing to the common good."

I found that quality aims at the 'common good' and mostly satisfies those who live for more than their own benefits. Also, through his historical review, I realized that quality profession is a hard and difficult job because it deals with change which requires challenging people, with high vision in mind and passion in heart. These are the first lessons I learned from Dr. Juran.

Since 1994, I have been following his works, lectures and articles and especially, for fundamentals of quality and quality management his treasure "Juran's Quality Handbook", is always providing me with reliable answers and clues, like a bible.

I hadn't the lucky opportunity to meet him in person, but I believe he was so great that could even influence people from far and the following specific case is just an examples:

It was around 8 o'clock in the morning 2nd July 2004, when I started my work by checking the received e-mails for the large quality conference we had on 6th July. Among the received e-mails there was one sent by Laura A. Sutherland, Dr. Juran's Executive Assistant, with an attachment: Dr. Juran's supporting message, against my request and invitation, to our 5th Conference of Quality Managers. I got extremely excited and very delighted for having such an important message in hand. I don't know how those days of impatience passed to reach the opening of the Conference. I was to deliver the opening address and I had prepared it on Dr. Juran's centenary, reviewing his unique life and career. On the conference day, near the end of the speech, after a short silence, I continued, "Today is a very important day for all of us. We are honored with the supporting message received from Dr. Juran, Father of Quality Management, to quality movement in Iran." And, I conveyed the message and asked all attendees, few thousands, to acknowledge. The audience gave him a long standing, about a minute, ovation. We hadn't had such a warm and deep hearty appreciation in similar situations yet. After the applause I continued, "It is our responsibility to show that we deserved such an honor and we should commit ourselves to continue the quality journey with passion and hard work," and I gave my vote of thanks and ended the address.
In the break time, one of the top executives came to me and said, "You are a powerful man!" I asked "Why" He explained, "Because you made such a large audience with so many top executives from government to stand up and express such a warm and long appreciation." I replied, "I did nothing other than reading the message. This is the influence of Dr. Juran's personality which motivated all to express their heart-felt feeling. This is his profound belief in quality which excited the whole audience."

That day, always remembered, is known as a turning point in the history of quality movement in Iran, a movement going on with the same pace and energy since then. I strongly believe behind our quality movement it's Dr. Juran's spirit and he has given us an impetus for all future. We feel ourselves in debt to Dr. Juran for inspiring us with his deep guidance through his supporting message. His leadership in world quality community was indisputable. Our case is a small but concrete example among many.

The message itself was very concise and short recalling Japan's history with regard to quality in 20th century, explaining "that historic event has demonstrated that it is entirely feasible to bring a nation to a state of world leadership in quality. It also has demonstrated that leadership in quality can lead to stunning results in the national economy." Japan's case was not exceptional and can happen everywhere provided that similar initiatives followed by hard work are taken.

Three years later, I have been invited for a quality convention to Nepal in August 2007 in which Professor Kano had a keynote address. During the panel discussion a question came asking if Nepal can change and improve through quality. I explained Dr. Juran's directive in our case and the audience found it quite convincing and naturally challenging as well.

Dr. Juran not only helped Japan change in a revolutionary or, as it is usually called, miraculous way towards welfare and prosperity, he also contributed to the improvement of quality of life in many other countries. In general terms, he made the world change. It is worth noting to remind Peter Drucker's sentence at the top of cover page of his book "Architect of Quality". He had great influence almost everywhere and on everyone having either direct or indirect contact with him or his works. Only great individuals with integrity in character, honesty in personality and conviction to their own believes can have such an impact on the environment. Serving society and the human community had a very high position in his thoughts. He has always been emphasizing and inviting others to contribute to 'Pero Bono Publico'. In spite of having tireless endeavors throughout his long life, he believed "My job of contributing to the welfare of my fellow man is the great unfinished business."

Dr. Juran was my great role model as for many others. I feel, although he is unfortunately not among us any more but, he will always be remembered by all those being influenced during his life and even by coming generations through the fundamentals he developed for 'Managing for Quality' as a new science.

Hesam Aref Kashfi, President, Iranian Society of Quality Managers, Chairman, Continuous Improvement Engineering Consultants, 07-Mar-2008

I was immensely sad this morning when I read that Joseph Juran died. I've always, always immensely admired him, his writing, and his philosophy abut life and work. And his caring about ideas, things that work, and most of all-people.

The last time I saw him was in the White House when the first Baldrige Awards were given, and his first words to me were, "you should be proud of what you accomplished to bring this Award about." Typical graciousness of a great man. He world and I will miss him.

Jack Grayson, 07-Mar-2008

I had met Dr. Juran many times and shook his hands as a bystander fan following his seminars or appearances in a major conference. He was 42 years senior to me in age. That I had figured it out when my quest for quality began in 1976 and in a way to educate myself I got hold of his classic book, Quality Control Handbook, in home town library at the University of Manitoba. My chances to get closer to him and get to know him little personal however, improved with my fortune when I got elected as the first Canadian member of the International Academy for Quality (IAQ) in 1996 in Chicago and that was like getting inducted into the quality professional's Hall of Fame. I was first formally introduced to Dr. Juran by (late) William Golomski, an ASQ past president and an academician IAQ as (sort of) Canadian quality ambassador, a nickname that he (unbelievably) remembered about me from that time on until my last meeting we have had when he was 99.

It was at a book signing ceremony at Juran Institute booth at an ASQ Annual Quality Congress in Charlotte, NC; in May 2001 when I had met him the last time. Dr. Blan Godfrey, another IAQ member and past president of Juran Institute, called me out from a passing by crowd and I saw him sitting and signing autograph. First, I got a quick snap of photo taken (see attached) and after the crowd had thinned away, I got my wish to have few precious moments with him alone.

I asked him, why do you that think quality is not being practiced widely in North America? His reply was that quality professionals are not doing very good job in educating the media and the newspaper establishments. He then turned around and asked me what is happening in Canada and I said that it is going exactly the same direction as in US less (may be) ten percentage points slower. He turned to me and gave me such a memorable big smile that I will never forget in my life. He told me to remain focused and keep on chugging until I reach 100 years in age just like him. I smiled back at him. We both had a big smile looking at each other for several seconds. He then turned towards me and shook my hands one more time. It was the longest hand shake I can remember with this quality guru and giant management expert and it lasted for more than a minute. It seemed to me that he liked the conversation that we were having. Suddenly, the nice conversation got interrupted by Dr. Blan Godfrey and he had to go. It was my final 'good- bye' to Dr. Juran.

His departing comment, "You cannot teach quality unless you live quality" is still ringing in my head.

Dr. Madhav Sinha, 07-Mar-2008

Dear Dr. Juran,

I've known you since that day in 1967 when I, a quality technician at a can factory, picked up that thick green book and looked up control charts. It was the Quality Control Handbook, Second Edition and it introduced me to the wonderful, magical world of quality. Your book divulged the secrets of statistics and quality management and inspired me, an 18 year old just entering college, to consider making quality a career.

As the years went by, I continued reading your work and investing in new editions of the Handbook. When I made my first presentation at an ASQC conference I joined you on an elevator trip to the opening presentation, where you delivered the keynote address. I was surprised by how small you were, physically. On the dais, however, you were a giant as you told those of us assembled there that we had a big responsibility to help America recover her position as the world's quality leader. By the way, you looked great in your tux!

In 1988 you and I rode the bus together to the White House for the presentation by President Reagan of the first Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. We chatted briefly. That evening I was waiting for a restaurant table outside the door of the room where the Baldride Board of Overseers was about to meet. When you asked me to join the group I was delighted. I was thrilled to be able to chat with so many of the leaders in the quality movement. Of course, you sat at the head of the table, where you belonged. Once again, the tux. Dashing!

The last time we met was in 2004, to celebrate your 100th birthday. It was only May 6 and your birthday wasn't until December 24 and you quipped that your people weren't sure that you'd make it to December. You stood tall and your voice and handshake were strong and we in the audience had no doubt that you'd blow by 100 like it was no big deal. We shook hands and you complemented me on my work, I nearly burst with pride! I went on and on about what your work meant to me. When I told you that you looked better every time I saw you, you laughed and said "I do not!" I guess it was the tux. Anyway, once again, your words inspired me and the rest of us assembled to do you honor. We were all enriched.

Dr. Juran, it has been 41 years since I first picked up your book. It's still on my bookshelf. Like me, it's showing its age a bit these days. But like you, its creator, the ideas are fresh and full of meaning and value. Today, somewhere, some young person is reaching for one of your works, about to be inspired by you. Inspired to consider a career of helping people and organizations achieve excellence. Or maybe just inspired to try harder, to do things better. You're not gone, Dr. Juran. You will never be gone. But I'll sure miss seeing you in your tux!

Tom Pyzdek , 07-Mar-2008

Dear Mrs. Juran and Charles,

Yesterday, when you lost your beloved husband and father, the world suffered with you the loss of one of the most insightful thought leaders in the history of modern industry. Joe Juran was a most unique individual and can rightly be called the father of modern quality management. His early works in reliability engineering and statistics gave way toward his extensive contributions in cataloging the methodologies of the quality tools through the many versions of his Quality Handbook; his preservation of the historical aspects of quality in his History of Managing for Quality, and especially his work on managerial planning and breakthrough improvement in his books Quality Planning and Analysis and Breakthrough Management. However, even more than these academic monuments, he a more enduring memorial has been erected in the minds and hearts of those who hold quality dear.

Joe cared about quality as a profession and about those who have dedicated their lives to the execution, promotion and management of quality. He was the force behind the documentation of the quality works at Western Electric that are today classics in their field. He participated in the industrial training that turned the course of World War II by enabling American industry to improve the quality of their production. He was one of the first members of the graduate school faculties for business administration at New York University working with Peter Drucker. He was the leader who taught Japanese managers how to think about quality, not just about statistics. He was the inspiration for the American Society for Quality certification programs as Quality Engineers and as Six Sigma Black Belts. Awards and medals have been named in his honor; both institutions and academic chairs honor his contributions. But, by far, his greatest contribution is the way that he touched the hearts of many with his thoughtful words, gentlemanly ways, and professional demeanor. Joe Juran was the role model of not just a manager of quality, but a quality manager and human being.

On behalf of all the members of the International Academy for Quality, we express our most sincere sorrow at his passing and want you to know that as he will always have a place of respect in our thoughts and deeds, you will also have a special place in our prayers and warm wishes.

Spencer Hutchens, Chairman, and Tito Conti, President, International Academy for Quality, 07-Mar-2008

Because of quality, for the quality.
Quality is everywhere all over the world. The father of quality will last in everywhere foreever too.

kongfeng zhang
ASQ-CQE/CMQ/TRAINER,CAQ/TRAINER, 07-Mar-2008

I was hooked on Dr. Juran back in 1974 when one of my managers gave me one of his articles to read. It so captured my interested that I joined ASQ and launched into a career in quality.

In 1980 I was previleged to be part of a team that brought him to my company for a series of lectures and to help implement his quality improvement program which has is still going today! He was instrumental in promoting focused training for quality professionals and a core group of managers become CQE's. We have been continued this training, at no cost to employees and surrounding companies, since 1983 with over 5,000 completing the courses. All this from his inspiration.

I've had two distinct opportunities to have short discussions with Dr. Juran and they have been a highlight of my career. He freely shared his thought and ideas and was always willing to help others.

In my quality library, there ae many Juran books, including his Handbooks (2nd through 5th edition). They are required reading for people attending the CQE courses that we provide. His legacy will live on for generations that follow. Dr. Juran dedicated his life to teaching us a better way with always a concern and thought for a better society. We will miss him but always keep his memory alive for others.

Jim L. Smith, ASQ Fellow, Caterpillar Inc. Quality Manager, 05-Mar-2008

My memories of Dr. Juran began more than 50 years ago at an early ASQC national convention, I believe in Philadelphia. As a new member, I had questions. Dr. Juran always had time to discuss those questions, and provide guidance on their answers. Back then the Society was more of a fellowship of practitioners in diverse fields. When the Quality Control Handbook, Second Edition, was published, I was honored by his request to author a chapter. When I think back to those early times, I reminisce with pleasure discourses with the great ones -- Joseph Juran, Dorian Shainin, Mason Wescott, Frank Caplan and so many others -- who so enriched my life and the lives of countless others.

Ervin F Taylor, 05-Mar-2008

The most poignant memory that I have of Dr. Juran is when we worked together to create the ASQ Medal that bears his name. We had many conversations about the words that were used in the criteria and he was very particular as to how the phrasing was developed. After several weeks of discussions, we had established a good way for working together.

Dr. Juran himself chose Bob Galvin, former CEO of Motorola as the first recipient of this recognition. At the initial award ceremony after Galvin had received the medal and as people were coming forward to congratulate him, Dr. Juran turned to me and abruptly focused on a different subject. He told me that quality was at another turning point and spoke very directly about my responsibility as ASQ President. He said: "Don't make the same mistake that we did with the quality engineer with the new Six Sigma Black Belt." He told me that at the beginning there were no standards, no requirements and no well-recognized body of knowledge that defined what was meant by a quality engineer. As a result, it was not managed well from the start. He then pointed his finger at me and 'stabbed' me in the chest and said that 'as the quality leader of ASQ you must see that we get better control over the Black Belt credential.' I personally felt inspired, as if I had a specific mission from this great man.

Of course, it took many people to pull of the miracle that was the Six Sigma Black Belt certification - the fastest ever developed in the history of ASQ. But, in my mind I cannot help but think that the inspiration behind it all came from the compelling words and this very specific requirement that was first voiced by Dr. Juran.

Thank you Dr. Juran for all of the things that you were concerned about on behalf of our shared profession - you were indeed a role model quality leader as well as being a quality thought leader. I will hold dear this memory for all of my days.

Gregory H. Watson, Past-President and Fellow, ASQ, 05-Mar-2008

The two most prominent books in my book case are "The Quality Control Handbook - Third Edition" and "The Juran's Quality Handbook - Fifth Edition". I had the privilege to have both books signed by Dr. Juran and with each signature came a short lecture.

In 1990, Texaco was exploring the arena around Quality and sent me to a conference hosted by the Juran Institute. During the Conference I had the opportunity to approach Dr Juran to sign my copy of the Handbook. As he normally did, he asked me where I worked and when I told him, he seemed excited. Not only was he interested in the Oil Industry trying to improve quality, but told me not to let the executives sway my thinking about quality. I was elated with this very brief encounter with him and vowed to keep the quality interest high at my company. He seemed pleased with my response.

Then in 1999 as I began my tenure as President of ASQ, I again met Dr. Juran at ASQ's Annual Conference and again sought his signature on my recently purchased Handbook. He was very gracious and told me he was looking forward to my leadership of the Society. His words said to me during that short time frame will always resonate in my heart every time I see his name or think of him.

As my colleague, Greg Watson, so eloquently said in his tribute "Thank you Dr. Juran for all of the things that you were concerned about on behalf of our shared profession - you were indeed a role model quality leader as well as being a quality thought leader."

C.R.(Ron) Asbury, Past-President, ASQ, 05-Mar-2008

I was one of 4 invited Keynote speakers at his 100th Birthday celebrations in Connecticut. It has occurred to me that of the possibly hundreds of responses that you will receive which will no doubt cover the key parts of his extraordinary life in some detail, I will follow the logic of the thinking behind the paper that I gave at that event. It drew many smiles from Dr Juran. I concentrated on just a small number of personal experiences that occurred during the 10 year period from 1983 to 1992 when I had the honour of representing him and co presenting with him here in the UK.

Here is the text of that speech:

DR JURAN 100TH BIRTHDAY - 6TH MAY 2004

Dr Juran, distinguished guests, fellow Quality Professionals, I feel that it is a great honour for me to have been invited to make this short speech on so unique an occasion.

I have never been in the same room as someone 100 years old let alone been given the awesome opportunity to say a few words.

What can I say that has not already been said before and that will be different from the other speakers today?

I thought I would share one or two anecdotes that colour my experience of working with Dr Juran in the UK during the 1980s.

First of all I would like to share a bit of unrecorded history, then an anecdote about how Dr Juran dealt decisively with a student determined to draw attention to himself and finally, a little more history.

The first incident dates back to the time when we had sold just 9 sets of the Juran on Quality Improvement tapes in the UK. Dr Juran agreed to come a few days early for his 4 day course, Managing for Quality to conduct a two day course for 36 people from those 9 companies. The event was held at the Waldorf Hotel in Aldwych, off the Strand in London.

I can be sure that it was 31st October 1984 because I looked it up on the internet before I left the UK for this visit. This was not as proof of our meticulous record keeping but because the Hotel is immediately opposite the Indian Embassy and no doubt, you will recall that this was the day upon which Mrs Ghandi, the Indian Premier was tragically assassinated. The news reached the UK at 0900 in the morning but we were unaware of it until lunch time. By then there was a steady stream of Key politicians and other dignitaries arriving at the Embassy to pay their respects.

At around 3.00 pm whilst Dr Juran was talking, a lot of shouting began in the street below. This gradually became louder and very distracting. I looked out of the window and was horrified to see the street packed solid with Turbanised Indians waving banners and chanting at the Embassy. I did not know what they were trying to do but my immediate thought was for the safety of Dr Juran. Surely the crowds would grow larger as people came home from work? What if fighting broke out? How was I to get him away from the hotel? I even went to check for back exits from the building.

At this point, Dr Juran became aware that probably for one of the very few times in his life he did not have the full attention of his audience. In his indomitable style he quietly said. Look, if I give the word, hit the deck, otherwise we carry on with the work! An amazing character! Immediately everyone in the room lost interest in what was happening outside the window and settled back down.

Interestingly, about 30 minutes later, I noticed that it had gone very quiet outside. I looked out of the window and incredibly, life had returned completely to normal. I never did find out what happened, maybe it was Renta crowd? to make good viewing on the TV News that night, but at least for me I had no worries about getting Dr Juran out of there.

A second memory was on the occasion of a subsequent Juran on Managing for Quality Course. At one point, following Dr Juran's explanation of the Cost of Poor Quality, a participant rose to his feet and said "Dr Juran, in my company I know that Quality Related Costs are more than 30% of sales. I have made this known to both the Managing Director and in fact all of the Management Team but they will not do anything about it, what do you suggest?" Dr Juran simply said, "Pray that things get worse".

My final remark is not so much an anecdote but something that I think will interest Dr Juran.

At one of the Managing for Quality events in London, on that particular afternoon, Dr Juran had told the story about Dr John Snow and his discovery of the link between Cholera and water by removing the handle of the pump in Broad Street Soho which proved to be the centre of a serious outbreak in which over 600 people died in just a week.

The following day, a participant said that he had discovered that whilst the Street was now called Broadwick Street, the site of the pump is marked with a red kerb stone and there is a plaque on the wall of a nearby public house to explain its significance.

The Pub is called John Snow and on its inside walls was the entire history of the event including the names of all of the people who died. Following that discovery, it became a popular place for Juran Institute visitors to London and I enjoyed acting as the tour guide!

Unfortunately, a few years ago, the pub changed hands, the new owner had no sense of history and all that remains is the plaque on the wall, the kerb stone and the name. The inside of the pub is now furnished with gawdy red plastic and the history obliterated with fresh paint.

Dr Juran, those years were the best in the whole of my working life and on behalf of myself, Brian Tilley and the support staff that we had in those days, I thank you most sincerely for giving us the opportunity to work with you and learn so much.

May God bless both you and Mrs Juran.

David Hutchins, 05-Mar-2008

Several wonderful memories of contact with Dr. Juran come to mind, spanning a period of over 30 years. The first was in about 1976 when I was working diligently within the Institute of Industrial Engineers, of which Dr. Juran was an Honorary Member. Being a brazen young professor, I simply called his office and the great man actually took the call. We were seeking an article from him for publication in Industrial Engineering and he spent about a half hour on the phone discussing what we wanted, asking about the IE profession and IIE, and discussing quality. I remember being elated at having had the opportunity to talk with him at some length.

The next opportunity occurred in the early 1990s when I was teaching a live satellite Total Quality Management course for the National Technological University's Management of Technology Program. Dr. Juran welcomed the opportunity to participate in the course once each semester for about one hour, and this practice continued for several years. The primary audience each year was a group of about 20 fast-track managers and directors of blue chip companies. There was also an on-campus traditional student group of about 30 students. Everything was live and everybody could hear everybody else. Dr. Juran would begin by making a few comments for about 10 minutes. His preference, however, was to dialogue with the students themselves by answering their questions. Needless to say, some of the students would toss their best (toughest) questions at Dr. Juran. I recall being so impressed by his ability to answer very directly, pulling no punches, and at the same time be very respectful to the student questioner. Many students told me that was their favorite part of the semester. All were awed.

Third, at perhaps the last ASQ Annual Conferences he attended, Dr. Juran had a book signing for his most recent Handbook. My daughter, Kristin, a quality professional, was at the conference and purchased the Handbook just for the signing. I went with her and reintroduced myself to Dr. Juran. He recalled well the TQM class participation. He was also pleased to meet and talk with Kristin. Kristin is proud to have a picture of the three of us on that occasion.

The final remembrance was Dr. Juran's 100th birthday party, held in Connecticut. It was great fun to again talk with him, have pictures taken, and see so many friends from the quality community. More importantly, however, I recall being so impressed with the wit and clarity of two short talks he gave - one being more personally oriented and the other more focused on quality.

Thank you, Dr. Juran, for being such a treasure, one who was willing to share the wealth of your insights in a very direct, influential, and personal way.

Kenneth E. Case, Past-President and Fellow, ASQ, Past President and Fellow, IIE, 05-Mar-2008

Whilst my interest in Dr. Juran's work goes back many years, his real influence on my thinking only took place since 1994 when I was asked to contribute a chapter to a Management Handbook on his life and contributions. The more research I carried out on him, the more impressed I became and without knowing it at the time, them ore influence his philosophy has had on me. In more recent years of course my direct contact with Dr. Juran was as 'The Juran Chair in Total Quality Management'. I have had the chance to visit him together with my colleague Dr. Mansoor Al Awar at his retirement home in Rye (NY) twice, in 2005 and 2006. It is extremely difficult for me to describe the 'experience' of spending several hours with this formidable and very unique individual. However, here is a brief summary of what came across from both meetings and what key messages has Dr. Juran tried to impart:

Whilst commenting on the work we are engaged at through The Middle East Quality Association he said that the work being undertaken is not just important for the Middle Region but also the rest of the World. He stressed the point, several times that Quality is a Common Value and Society is a Common Concern. He of course referred to his experience in helping Japanese organisations improve quality and later on when he became engaged with organisations in other parts of the World, he said that the problems were the same, the issues were the same and the wider impact on productivity, competitiveness and society were also the same.

Dr. Juran was also extremely excited by The Juran Chair in TQM as a catalyst for furthering his ideas and injecting a new approach to quality that can deal with the challenges and rigours of the digital age. He referred to a new Quality Revolution for the 21st Century. There was a twinkle in his eye and he was optimistically looking forward to see quality make even bigger leaps and shape a better future for the whole society. His confidence was inspired by the fact that quality has already survived 100 years and a lot of the resistance to change has been removed since as he stated, we now have leaders who are conversant with the quality language and who are better equipped to drive it in their modern organisations.

Dr. Juran has inspired all of us as Quality Professionals. He has helped pave the way for an exciting future for our profession and we owe it to him to continue his work by helping his 'unfinished dream' to make an even bigger leap in the 21st century.

Prof. Mohamed Zairi, Juran Chair in TQM, 05-Mar-2008

The Iranian Society of Quality Managers (ISQM), expresses its heartfelt sorrow for the great loss of Dr. Joseph M. Juran to all World Quality Community specially to his family, friends and colleagues.

With exemplar leadership of "Father of Quality Management", he was the indisputable world leader in quality, the most instrumental in world quality movement during all last decades and, the greatest inspiration for all involved in "Managing for Quality". Specifically, with his historic supporting message to the 5th Conference of Quality Managers in July 2004, he honored, encouraged and gave us impetus for all future endeavors.

It is sure that with his unique sincere contribution to quality and quality management during all his fruitful long life and his tireless great efforts for excellence and prosperity of the people, he is in eternal peace in Heaven.

We will strive hard to keep his vision and heart alive through serious commitment to invaluable teachings of "Architect of Quality" and implementing them towards the ultimate humane goal he has usually been emphasizing, "Pero Bono Publico".

Our thoughts, hearts and prayers are with all close to him.
With deep grief...

Hesam AREF KASHFI, President, 05-Mar-2008

I knew Dr. Joseph Juran for a very long time and I want to express the deep sense of loss I feel because of his passing. Many, many people and organizations are much the better because of his work, his writings and his guidance and this importance of his influence - already very great - will continue to grow throughout the world.

I first came to meet and to know Joseph Juran before quality was recognized as a field and before quality organizations and meaningful quality literature and guidance had come into being as an area of explicit importance and attention. Already a man of high professional standing and of major business and governmental experience, the very fact of Joseph Juran's placing his personal emphasis upon quality brought enormous attention and meaning to the subject of quality which previously had been thought of as a technical factor in inspection.

The subsequent more than half century of the growth and evolution of quality into the importance of its global recognition and high effectiveness throughout the world owes a very great deal to the contribution of Joseph Juran. As we mourn his passing, we can, however, take some comfort that his guidance and influence will continue through the availability of the content of his writings and of the spirit of his personal commitment that continues to come through them.

Dr. Armand V. Feigenbaum, 05-Mar-2008

On behalf of the Lebanese Society for Quality I express my sincere condoleances for the great loss of Dr. Juran.

My condoleances are not only offered to his family members, friends and colleagues, but also to the "Global Quality Family" including the MEQA and to every National Quality Association acting in the sphere of Quality in general and MEQA in particular, as the world lost the father of the "Quality Revolution" that touched not only the Excellence of Organizations, but also people's way of life.

Imagine the energy of Dr. Juran that has founded the Juran Institute when he was 75 years old.....I invite ll friend and colleagues to check the Juran Management System (JMS) as a comprehensive Business Management.

I am sure that Dr. Juran will remain present in the daily life of every one belonging to the "Global Quality Family" and I invite all the "Family" members to continue working on the roadmap that he traced in order to accomplish the Quality Vision.

Raffy Semerdjian, President, Lebanese Society for Quality, 05-Mar-2008

As a fledging professor of statistics in the early 1960's I thought it wise to attend one of Dr. Juran's seminars and dutifully sign up. He returned my check and offered me a scholarship. He felt it was time overdue for those teaching university statistics to learn that Quality was more than sampling plans and control charts. In later years he invited to contribute to the chapter on experimental design in his now famous 'Juran's Quality Handbook'. I considered the invitation an honor.

Shortly before this past Christmas I visited Joe at his retirement community in Connecticut. I was anxious to see for myself how well this paragon of 103 years was managing. Although he greeted me at the door using a walker we quickly proceeded to his office. "If you had told me you were coming we could have had lunch together. Now you'll have to watch me eat mine." He was obviously working hard, his desk covered with papers. It was the first time I had seen Joe in several years and although he was slower afoot there was nothing, literally nothing, lacking in his mental agility. I departed amazed at the man's vitality.

Rare events, wonderful rare events, do occur.

J. Stuart Hunter, Professor Emeritus, Princeton University, 05-Mar-2008

I clearly remember the one and only time I met Dr. Joseph M. Juran. It was in the mid-1980s while I was the senior statistician for manufacturing for the Hughes Aircraft Company's Ground Systems Group (GSG) in Fullerton, California that Dr. Juran visited with GSG to present his perspectives on quality management. He had been invited by several members of the senior technical staff to help the GSG design, manufacturing and quality engineers to better understand his unique methodology for problem identification and corrective action.

Dr. Juran used the most current presentation technology available at that time, i.e., an overhead projector with a towering stack of numbered plastic flimsies, each with its own particular image. This was the equivalent of today's PowerPoint slides. The presence and use of these flimsies are clearly inscribed in my mind, even today over 20 years later, because they were the focal point of my only interaction with Dr. Juran.

Dr. Juran delivered his presentation to approximately 100 Hughes Aircraft engineers placing each flimsy, one at a time, on the overhead projector and discussing the resulting screen image with his attentive and appreciative audience. As I recall, the presentation lasted about two to three hours, not too shabby for a gentleman already well into his 80s. When his presentation was completed, he took the time to respond to questions from those in the audience who desired further information as well as the honor of speaking directly with 'the man.'

It seemed to me at the time that I should make the effort to meet Dr. Juran, after all he was one of the greatest quality management thinkers of our time, and so I patiently queued up along with many other Hughes engineers to speak with him about whatever quality management-related topic I had on my mind at the time as a direct result of his presentation. The wait to speak to him, one-on-one, was long, very long, and so while standing there immediately adjacent to the overhead projector with the towering stack of flimsies, I decided to lean on the wheeled cart which supported the projector. Big mistake. It was not at all stable and immediately overturned throwing the projector and all of Dr. Juran's flimsies to the floor. All activity in the presentation room came to an abrupt halt as everyone stopped what they were doing to turn to the source of the resounding crash, i.e., yours truly.

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To say I was mortified does not completely describe my feelings at the time. There they were on the floor, all of Dr. Juran's flimsies scattered as though they'd been picked up and thrown about by a tornado. First everyone looked at the mess on the floor, then at me, and finally at Dr. Juran to see what he would say and do.

In the style of the true gentleman he was, he simply looked at me with an unperturbed expression and in an even voice requested my assistance in picking up the pile of flimsies on the floor and returning them to their original order. This I did, followed by my most profuse apologies for my error in judgment, and then as quickly as I could, I departed hoping that neither Dr. Juran nor anyone else in the room at the time of the incident would ever again think of what had just happened. I hope Dr. Juran never ever thought ill of me or my company because of this unfortunate turn of events.

With great admiration and respect for Dr. Juran,

Jack B. ReVelle, Ph.D., A Consulting Statistician, ReVelle Solutions, LLC , 05-Mar-2008

Like so many, my introduction to Dr. Juran was through his pioneering Quality Control Handbook, now simply the Quality Handbook. Though I never had the benefit of meeting Dr. Juran, through his writing and in particular his autobiography I have a distinct sense of connection to him. I suspect this is a common phenomenon with his readers. Dr. Juran wrote as if he was meeting with you personally to express his thoughts to you. Some of my other favorite writings from Dr. Juran include his many papers and the books A History of Managing for Quality and Juran on Quality by Design. Dr. Juran, thank you for a lifetime of teaching, inspiring, caring, and improving our world.

Mike La Dolcetta, ASQ Section 1114, 05-Mar-2008

Like many others, I became acquainted with Dr. Juran through his articles, at the end of the 1970s. I was, at the time, a line executive with Olivetti. My area of activity was microelectronics. In 1983, when quality became a competitive issue, I happened to be appointed Group VP for Quality. My first thought went to Dr. Juran. I flew to New York to meet him. I was prepared to meet an outstanding person, but the impression I got greatly overcame my expectations. I find myself unable now to traduce my feelings in words: when you try to express yourself in a foreign language you miss the shades of the adjectives. The words that come to my mind are: brilliant mind, mental rigor, moral uprightness, but at the same time unbelievably great courtesy.

We had long talks... and walks. Even if much younger, I could hardly keep pace with him when hurrying along New York's streets to his office. He promised me to come to Italy soon and meet the Olivetti top executive team. After a couple of months he came. Most of my colleagues attended the meetings and the lectures, and were deeply impressed by him. However, some of the most aggressive executives, who belonged to the category of the never resting managers, happened to arrive late, in dribs and drabs, to the seminar. Dr. Juran kindly interrupted his lectures to welcome the latecomers but, in gentleman-like manners, he found the way to say ironic words about crash management, being always too busy, and the like. Even at the CEO's lunch some executive arrived late and they were not saved some kind but very appropriate ironic comments. I admired him, not only for his sincerity, but also because he was able to touch the sore points, those I was finding as real obstacles to a quality transformation.

In 1990's Juran invited me to a Juran Institute's Forum in S. Francisco. He wanted to hear about what was happening in Europe in relation to the recently introduced ISO 9000 Standards. I was a little bit nervous to talk to an audience where Dr. Juran was sitting in the first row, carefully listening. But, once again, I was admired by his behaviour. He wanted to understand the reason of the enormous success that the new (but born old) standards were enjoying in Europe, in a period when TQM models were gaining general consensus all over the world. A typical trait of Dr. Juran, that: whatever the age, he remained young because he never stopped listening; he did not want to engage his clear mind in the "diagnostic journey" before getting a first hand description of the facts and the environment in which they were emerging.

But the greatest joy in my long relations with Dr. Juran was the opportunity to honour him, in 1994, with a special gold medal from the European Organization for Quality. I was President of such organization at the time, and I wanted to express the gratitude of the whole European quality community for Juran's attention and support along the years, in particular through constant participation to the EOQ Conferences (In Vienna, in 1989, he generously accepted to review all the papers presented at the Conference, sacrificing part of the night in reading, and then, at the closing ceremony, he made a brilliant analysis, seasoned with humour).

I wanted to personally care of the carving of the medal - and handing it over to Dr. Juran, in Wilmot was a great joy. Once again, it was not - and could not be - just a formal event. It was a unique opportunity to appreciate the warmness of Dr. Juran's heart, his friendly sentiments towards Europe and the European colleagues. My wife was with me and we had the opportunity to taste the flavour of Dr. Juran family's atmosphere. We found Mrs. Juran simply charming. She told us of the times when her husband was working hard on the First edition of the Juran Handbook, and she had the task of typewriting it. Of how he was never satisfied of the results and she had to type the chapters over and over again. Charming was also their granddaughter Joy. And a magnificent host was her husband, Howland Blackiston, at the time President of the Juran Institute.

In 1992 I dared asking Dr. Juran if he was willing to write the introduction to my book "Building Total Quality". Sincere and limpid as usual he said: send me the manuscript. I want to see it before giving you any answer. He read it word by word, then he sent me a three pages introduction, that remains one of the best recognition that I got in my life.

The experience with the fifth edition of the Juran Handbook was interesting, but was not so direct as that with "History of Managing for Quality", that Dr. Juran followed personally. I was one of his assistant editors and took care in particular of the two Italian Chapters, about Ancient Rome and the Arsenal of Venice. I had chosen as authors two brilliant young history professors, who never heard of quality before. It was quite an experience and the results, according to Dr. Juran, were excellent. But it was the experience of working together with Dr. Juran for more than one year that was exciting for me. He was, from one side, enthusiastic as a young researcher, on the other side precise in assessing the appropriateness of every single word or image.

Many other episodes come to my mind, but I think the above are sufficient to contribute with some small pieces, to a mosaic that all of us, who had the privilege to meet Dr Juran, want to assemble together and transmit to the quality community and the younger generations.

Tito Conti - President, International Academy for Quality - Past President and Honorary Member of the European Organization for Quality, 05-Mar-2008

I have had the opportunity to be part of quality courses during my professional carrer: sometimes as an instructor and some others as an attender. The name of Dr. Juran has been mentioned in almost all these courses as well as his philosophy of life and management.

I could say that his name and his legacy in quality aspects has been mentioned in a way that I started to feel that he was part of my quality procedures, my projects in quality, in my articules I have written, etc. I started to feel like he was a part of my quality team.

I never met him but all information regarding to his books, articules and more, give the confidence to "use" his name as an example in my daily working in quality.

I am going a miss him.

Victor Rodriguez
QA Manager

Victor Rodriguez, 05-Mar-2008

I learned to manage quality in process industry from a copy of Juran's Handbook, 2nd ed. left behind by an older engineer. That was 1973. Since then, many buzz words have come and gone. I flowed with the trends when necessary but always relied on Dr. Juran's basics. In addition to his handbook, I receive great value from his "Quality by Design." I heard him speak a couple of times, always enlightening and entertaining! A great man.

Rolfe Hunt, 05-Mar-2008

I would like to express my personal feelings about Dr. Joseph Juran. I had the pleasure of spending some time with him, one on one, after one of his seminars that I attended.

The time I spent with him was back in the 1980's when I was just getting into the quality world. Dr. Juran was in his 80s then and he was the only instructor for the whole two days. He was lively, funny at times, and very serious at times. I attended this two day seminar in Chicago and after the first day, he invited anyone that wanted to stick around and chat with him to feel free. I was the only one that stayed to talk to him. We talked for about two hours and I learned so much him in those two hours it is hard to fathom. He appeared to be truly concerned about helping me and talked to me as a person and not someone beneath his dignity. I felt I was getting his full attention and that was very important to me.

Dr. Juran made a huge difference in the world by his promoting, teaching, writing books, and lecturing on quality for all walks of life. He was truly one of the major players in the movement to go from planned obsolescence or early failure to one of quality first.

The world will miss him and I hope that those that knew him are able to continue to promote his views on quality.

Mickey Christensen, President, TQM Systems, RABQSA & IRCA QMS Lead Auditor, 05-Mar-2008

Quality in process, quality in control, quality in management, ... but the most important quality in life, the only way to reach well lived 103 years.

Roger Chrispim, 05-Mar-2008