Facilitation Tips
Facilitating the Red Bead Experiment: Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
The Red Bead Experiment is one of the most powerful, insightful demonstrations from the legacy of Dr. W. Edwards Deming. Used for decades to reveal the flaws of traditional management, the experiment lets participants experience first-hand the futility of blaming workers for systemic variation in a process. But despite its apparent simplicity, the impact of this exercise can be diluted by common facilitation missteps. Whether you’re facilitating the Red Bead Experiment remotely via BeadExperiment.com or leading it in person, avoiding these mistakes is critical to achieving its full teaching potential.