[News]

While I have been saying this for decades, and while K’ung Fu-tzu implied it millennia ago when he called for a balance of knowledge and action, it takes a while to sink in. W. Edwards Deming showed how simply taking a pencil with paper and plotting the data makes action possible. Experts in data analysis and statistics, such as John Tukey, made exploring data fun and graphic. Donald J. Wheeler and John M. Chambers have taken data analysis to the next level. It is a moronically simple concept… but is hardly practiced anywhere.

read more




More...

[sparky]

If we collect data and don't take action, it's yet another waste. Like he says, simple really.

[prabh]

interesting coincidence this article, i was just talking to someone today about the amount of data that gets collated and published on a daily basis vs the utilization of the same....

[TomHuckabee]

Interesting and relevant topic concerning data collection implying that many folks are substituting data collection for improvement activity.

Around our place, a large corporation, data collection seems to have become the end; not the means of determining to what end we should head. Collecting data to many people (I like to call them theoretical plumbers), is an excuse for thinking about what the data means and then taking action to remedy the situation. Data collection is "waste" as was previously mentioned in cases such as these. To complete the metaphor of those engaged in only data collection as theoretical plumbers; such activity is worthy of being flushed down the plumbing. If it is not going to be used to drive decisions and improvement activities, it is useless overhead and a diversion from real work.

Thanks for initiative

[Lakota]

Tom,

Well,

Appreciate your well written posting on this topic of data collection. Cute metaphor. Do you find yourself having to explain its meaning to your managment teams?

Thanks again,
Lakota

[Marco]

Originally Posted by TomHuckabee

Interesting and relevant topic concerning data collection implying that many folks are substituting data collection for improvement activity.

Around our place, a large corporation, data collection seems to have become the end; not the means of determining to what end we should head. Collecting data to many people (I like to call them theoretical plumbers), is an excuse for thinking about what the data means and then taking action to remedy the situation. Data collection is "waste" as was previously mentioned in cases such as these. To complete the metaphor of those engaged in only data collection as theoretical plumbers; such activity is worthy of being flushed down the plumbing. If it is not going to be used to drive decisions and improvement activities, it is useless overhead and a diversion from real work.

Thanks for initiative

Tom, thanks for the responce.
For me it's the same as working efficiency and effectiveness.
I've seen people saying the were working efficient. When I askes are you also effective, they glased....

[Delphi]

It has been my experience that the value of data is in the eye of the beholder. Is it waste to collect the data for theoretical reasons? Only if the data collector can not "sell" the value to the "customer."

Thoughts?

[Haz]

I read the first 7 and i have to say i got a little bored. I am not sure it is a good case for collecting data and doing nothing, in my eyes it is a case of them not knowing what to do with the data.

Maybe some training is required?

I am not sure these people are collecting and ignoring it, they just don't know what to do with it. There "action" was to do nothing, so they did something.

Thoughts.

[yogambala]

May be information is everywhere but application is lacking? How do we motivate ?

[TomHuckabee]

Yogambala and Haz:

Thanks for the change in direction of "just whining" about over-done data collection. Rather than we "experts" complain about the situation, a better focus would be: "how can we divert the effort into something positive?"

The mention was maybe training is needed. The additional thought was what about motivating for good. My take away form this dialogue, so far, is that when we see data for data's sake being cast about; we need to take the data and show how to use it for good. We know that good data has the opportunity to move us from subjective opinion to fact-based decisions helping to transcend personal agendas and opinions.

Again, thanks for turning this discussion in a positive direction. What are some other's ideas on moving the organization from "just posting data charts" to acting positively on behalf of the greater good.

Thanks;
Tom