Lost Tools # 2 Data

In this quick fire working environment using a ‘Sore Thumb Approach’ strategy (something hurts so you go fix it quick), we don’t always have time to collect the data. I’ve just taught the Measure phase to a wave of Green Belts and other than a SIPOC IT’S ALL ABOUT COLLECTING DATA. It’s easy and sometimes beneficial to just use the core tools:

• Run Charts
• Process Flowcharting
• Fishbone and 5 Whys
• Tally Charts
• Histograms
• Scatter Plots

But real Y=f(x) data collection; looking at all the up and down stream data collection points is invaluable.

I’m actually downing tools for a fortnight and just going out and getting that data.

If that means trailing through paper work with my tally chart or standing at the side of a railway line or station clicking my ‘data counter’ then so be it. I got to a stage last year where I thought I was too good to go out and get my hands dirty collecting data for a week or so, but sometimes that’s the best thing you can do.

Any thoughts?