Which of the following was a major influence on Deming W. Edwards' thoughts on quality control?

Walter A. Shewhart played a crucial role in shaping W. Edwards Deming's approach to quality control. Shewhart is often regarded as the father of statistical quality control, and his work laid the foundational principles that Deming later built upon.

Shewhart introduced the concept of the control chart, which allows organizations to monitor processes and improve quality by understanding the variations that occur in production. This idea of using statistical methods to analyze and control quality was pivotal for Deming, who adopted and advanced these techniques.

Deming's philosophy encompasses the importance of understanding variation in processes and the need for continuous improvement—concepts firmly rooted in Shewhart's earlier work. Thus, recognizing Shewhart's influence is essential for understanding the development of quality management practices that Deming championed, elevating his ideas to a broader application in various industries worldwide.