1. W. Edwards Deming

W. Edwards Deming was an influential American statistician and management consultant known for his work in quality control and improvement. His philosophy emphasized the importance of understanding processes, using statistical methods to measure performance, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement in organizations. Deming developed the "Plan-Do-Study-Act" cycle, a systematic method for problem-solving and improving workflows. He is best known for helping Japanese industries recover after World War II, significantly enhancing their production quality and efficiency, which eventually influenced global business practices and established the foundation for modern quality management systems.