dxResearch ~ Actionable Information from Soft Data

dxResearch Actionable Information from Soft Data The process of turning soft data into information is three-fold:

knowing how to design data,
knowing what information to extract, and
knowing how to display it.

Variance Marking in Survey Design The idea of bio-marking, a technique used to follow individual molecules around in laboratory experiments, can also be applied to survey design.

By creating one item which captures the overall meaning or “bottom line” of a survey, we can examine its variance statistically as it interacts with other survey items and set the stage for leverage and resource allocation via step-wise multiple regression.
Some Survey Guidelines Balancing Respondent Burden and Organizational Requirements.
Some Bad and Best Practices in Survey Design Maximize the precision and accuracy of your surveys
Is This Survey for Real? From the Better Business Bureau:
Before you respond to a market survey or opinion poll, ask these questions to determine if the telephone call, mail survey or email is a legitimate survey.

ASQ ~ American Society for Quality Journal of Quality Progress Current Issue of the ASQ Quality Progress Journal
Six Sigma Forum Magazine Current Issue of the ASQ Six Sigma Magazine

Drive Baldrige Level Performance with 6 Sigma Baldrige provides the framework,
Six Sigma, the methodology.
SPC: From Chaos to Wiping the Floor

Statistical process control (SPC) began with Walter Shewhart in the 1920s.
SPC eventually became more than the application of control charts and was used to tame manufacturing processes.
It now extends to processes beyond those in manufacturing and is fundamental to maintaining a corporate competitive edge.

Root Cause Analysis for Beginners

Root cause analysis helps identify what, how and why something happened, thus preventing recurrence.
Root causes are underlying, are reasonably identifiable, can be controlled by management and allow for generation of recommendations.
The process involves data collection, cause charting, root cause identification and recommendation generation and implementation.

Six Steps to Integrating Complaint Data into QA Decisions

Understanding consumer behavior can help with quality resource allocation decisions.
In-plant sample examinations of products aren’t a substitute.
A new complaint doesn’t mean there’s a problem with the product; it may be with its use.
Complaint data are not a substitute for customer satisfaction research.

iSixSigma Readers' Choice: Top 25 Rated Six Sigma Articles iSixSigma readers have given these articles the highest ratings.
Six Sigma & Quality Article Archive A six year archive of QM and Six Sigma articles.

NIST ~ National Institute of Standards and Technology e-Handbook of Statistical Methods The goal of this handbook is to help scientists and engineers incorporate statistical methods in their work as efficiently as possible.
Baldrige Criteria of Performance Excellence A systems perspective for understanding performance management. These criteria reflect validated, leading-edge management practices against which an organization can measure itself.

With their acceptance nationally and internationally as the model for performance excellence, the Criteria represent a common language for communication among organizations for sharing best practices.

The Criteria are also the basis for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award process.

Curious Cat Management Improvement Portal Deming Related Management Improvement Resources
Lean Thinking & Lean Manufacturing
6 Sigma Connections
Statistics Portal
Public Sector Continuous Improvement
Community Quality Electronic Network