Understanding Variation

Alternatives to knee-jerk reaction

What is known as “point mentality” is a knee-jerk response to what appears to be a problem. We may learn this when we take our child’s temperature and find that it’s high; we are inclined to do something right away—give ibuprofen, orange juice, and bed rest—rather than waiting to see if this is a trend.

In fact, sometimes we can’t wait to evaluate patterns in data, but need to respond immediately to a situation. Emergencies require response. Most of the time, however, we will save time, energy, and other resources by examining data over a period of time and making decisions based on trends or other patterns in the operation of the system itself. The fact that a child fails one third-grade spelling test doesn’t mean that he or she will be a failure in life—or even in spelling.

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Comments

Variation and children

The one thing we know as parents and educators is that you never play with a temperature -- even in the interests of the study of trends and variation. Knee jerk reactions to a child's temperature has saved lives. Sorry for the wet blanket (sometimes used with temperatures) but not a good analogy. The rest is sound.

Deming

As the proud father of a 3 week old boy, it is wonderful to see that you are teaching Deming to the young, instead of Six Sigma rubbish that the masses follow so blindly.

ADB's comment

I don't "blindly follow" SS, but I'm sure many do. But what does that mean? Other than the constraint that DMAIC be used (not a big deal, real problems don't fall neatly into a 5-chambered box), I think of Six Sigma as a label that can be applied to any improvement program targetting quality and variability. If Deming enhances the program, great! Shainin? Juran? Crosby? Ishikawa? Shingo? Take your pick. Except I think Crosby was a parrot.