Letter: RE: The Pareto principle

While I won’t debate the writer’s opinion regarding bureaucratic inefficiencies, I disagree with citing the Pareto Principle as a “tried and true” application to justify his opinion that 20% of workers contribute to 80% of production. The principle was derived from Vilfredo Pareto’s observation that 80% of Italy’s land was owned by 20% of the population. Joseph Juran expanded this concept to quality control; 80% of effects (or defects) can be eliminated by addressing 20% of the causes. To attribute human production in government or the private sector in the manner the writer chooses is a stretch and doesn’t have significant documentation in the literature regarding the Pareto Principle. He should do his research before making such a claim. Finally, in this vein, would we feel just as safe with 80% fewer security personnel at the airport? Maybe so, we would certainly have more time standing in line to think about it.