William E. Deming

William E. Deming was an American engineer, statistician, and management consultant known for his contributions to quality control and management practices, particularly in manufacturing. He is best known for his "Plan-Do-Study-Act" cycle, which emphasizes continuous improvement in processes. Deming's philosophies influenced many industries, particularly in post-war Japan, helping them innovate and improve quality. He strongly advocated for understanding variation in processes and putting people at the center of management strategy. His work laid the foundation for modern quality management systems and earned him recognition as a key figure in quality improvement worldwide.