“If only I had known.” This phrase has been uttered countless times by nearly everyone. Additional information or a different vantage point could help us know when to buy or sell stock (“I should have bought that Google stock at the IPO”), what birthday presents to buy (“I wish I knew their son already had that video game”), how we maneuver our vehicles (“Your friend could’ve told me he parked right behind me”), and many other instances in our personal lives. This desire for additional information is also found in the professional world, especially if you work in a quality position.

Knowing more information is generally a good thing, but knowing the “right” information is what really makes a difference when making decisions. What is the right information? That depends on the problem and your role in solving it. A quality director has different tools at her disposable than a quality manager, quality engineer, or line operator does. Knowing what information to collect, when to collect it, and how to present it is critical when making decisions in a manufacturing environment.

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