Profound Knowledge (Updated 2/21/2009, Original 2/21/2009 by TQM Doctor)
Deming coined the phrase profound knowledge and taught that the expression had four very specific components. The four components are (a) appreciation for a system, (b) knowledge about variation, (c) theory of knowledge, and (d) psychology of individuals, society, and change (Deming, 1993). One very important aspect about understanding exactly what profound knowledge is to understand that profound knowledge is more like the theoretical framework we use to understand our organizations (Deming). Deming’s motivation for defining the lens of profound knowledge was to break our habit of viewing our organization through more destructive perspectives.
Reference
Deming, W. E. (1993). Leading quality transformations. Executive Excellence, 10(5), 1.