Our "Guru of the Month," Dr. Kaoru Ishikawa was born in 1915. He was a graduate of Tokyo University where he majored in applied chemistry. He was known for the leading Japanese contributor to quality management.

In the 1950’s, Kaoru Ishikawa became involved in Japanese and international standardization. Ishikawa’s career included membership of the editorial board of Quality Control Foreman, chief executive director of Quality Control Circle Headquarters at the Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers (JUSE), he also served as editor of JUSE’s two (2) books on quality circles. Ishikawa was also a member of the committee for the Deming Prize. Ishikawa actually developed the audit system, which determines whether companies qualify for the prize. A major requirement for the Deming Prize is the active and visible involvement of the company’s top executives.

Ishikawa believed that managers should strive for more than the improvement of product quality, he insisted that quality improvement has more to offer. By implementing a continued customer service system, company wide quality control would be increased by providing exceptional customer service even after the initial purchase has been made. According to Ishikawa, quality improvement is a continuous process, and it can always be taken one step further.

Ishikawa’s diagram which is referred to as the "fishbone" diagram shows the user all of the possible causes of a result, and then hopefully find the root of the process imperfections. The "fishbone" diagram pinpoints the root programs and provides quality improvement from the bottom up. Ishikawa, as well as Dr. W. Edward Deming, used this diagram as one of the first tools in the quality management process.

Ishikawa also urged top level management to take quality control courses, knowing that without their complete support and understanding, the programs would ineptly fail. He also stressed that it would take firm commitment from the entire organization to reach the company's potential for success. Another area of quality improvement that Ishikawa emphasized is quality throughout a product's entire life cycle, including pre- and post- production. Although Ishikawa believed in creating standards, he felt that standards should also be constantly evaluated and revised.

Ishikawa eventually expanded Deming’ Plan-Do-Check-Act model into six (6) steps. These steps include: 1.) Determine goals and targets; 2.) Determine methods of reaching goals; 3.) Engage in education and training; 4.) Implement work; 5.) Check the effects of implementation; and 6.) Take appropriate action.

Throughout Ishikawa’s impressive career, he was awarded the Deming prize and Nihon Press Prize, the Grant Award [from the American Society for Quality Control (ASQ)]. In 1993, ASQ established the Ishikawa Medal in honor of Kaoru Ishikawa. The annual award recognizes an individual or team for outstanding leadership in improving the human aspects of quality.