Editor’s note: This is the third of a three-part series on effective, focused data analysis. Part one discussed helping management deal with common cause; the first common cause strategy—stratification—was discussed in part two.

In my last column, I introduced some aspects of common cause strategies using Juran’s wisdom of “exhaust in-house data.” That involved: defining recurring problems, assessing the effect of each problem, and localizing each major problem. I suggested these as a preliminary process for change agents to organize data before getting other people involved;  in doing this, you will no doubt come to some conclusions of your own. The next step is to discuss conclusions with key players. Do the results of your in-house data analyses seem logical to the people involved? Are there obvious changes that would eliminate the problem? Are there obvious ways to prevent similar problems in the future?

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