Which quality management theorist focused on zero defects as the goal of performance improvement efforts?

The emphasis on zero defects as a central goal in performance improvement efforts is closely associated with Philip Crosby. He introduced the concept of “zero defects” as a principle of quality management, promoting the idea that quality should be the primary focus of organizational processes and that it is possible to achieve 100% conformance to requirements. Crosby advocated that by striving for zero defects, organizations could significantly reduce costs associated with failures, rework, and customer dissatisfaction.

His philosophy also included the notion that quality is free; investing in quality initiatives will lead to savings by reducing errors and defects. This aligns tightly with performance improvement efforts in various industries, including healthcare, where ensuring the highest quality of care is crucial for patient safety and institutional success. Crosby's approach sets a clear and measurable target for organizations seeking to enhance their performance and quality management systems.

The other theorists listed have contributed to quality management concepts but focus on different aspects. For instance, Deming emphasized continuous improvement and statistical process control, while Peters is known for management theories that focus on excellence and innovation, and Kaizen refers to a culture of continuous incremental improvement but does not specifically assert zero defects as a singular goal.