Improvement Insights Blog
What Kind of Data Should I Use?
Someone recently asked: “What kind of data should I use for control charts and Pareto charts.” The answer is simple. Here it is:
“Hi, I’m Jay Arthur, author of “Lean Six Sigma Demystified” and QI Macros [software].
“I got a call from someone last week who was talking about how they’ve been a longtime user of QI Macros, and then how educated they were… and then they asked me, “Uh, Jay… I’m not quite sure how to set up… what kind of data should I use for a control chart, and what kind of data should I use for a Pareto chart?” I was like, “What? How can you not know this?”
“All right, in very simple terms: for control charts and run charts you need time-series data, right? By date, by time, by whatever. For Pareto charts you need categories, types of defects, mistakes, errors, patient harm, whatever it is.
“I thought “How is that possible?” But then I realized something else: most people think of the QI Macros as software, not as a training shop. If you go out to our website, qimacros.com and click on “training,” you’re going to find training about how to set up all your data in Excel so you can use it for charts. You’re going to find all kinds of tools and training, from White Belt to Yellow Belt training; these are free unless you want to be certified, in which case we’ll charge you [after] taking the test and getting certified.
“I have a free Agile [Lean Six Sigma] Trainer Training which will teach you how I teach people in one day and get results… Lean and Six Sigma, one day and get results, right?
“Free training, right? Our website is not just about the software, it’s all about making people wildly productive at Quality Improvement.
“So that’s my Improvement Insight for this week: Go to qimacros.com and learn something. Let’s create a hassle-free America; hassle-free healthcare. Let’s go out and improve something this week.”
