The statistician’s stake in the managerial revolution

Abstract

Ever since the building of the pyramids, certain ideas about management have been adopted without question by generations of managers. The modern industrial complex requires a different approach to management, one that breaks with the old traditions and even some recent highly touted fashions. The differences between the classical style and the new style are fundamental and require a complete re-education of managers at all levels. In the new style of management, statistical reasoning plays an essential role. The applications that will be posed are often quite different than those for which statisticians have been trained. Any enterprise that intends to compete in world markets will find it essential to be managed in the new style. In the transition process statisticians will need to learn to be mentors as well as advisors.