This very brief introduction to control charts by PQ Systems provides a very watchable non-technical overview. Getting people to understand variation is important, and not easy. This video is one more quick reminder for those still trying to incorporate an understanding of variation into their view of the world.
The idea is simple. But actually thinking with an understanding of variation people find difficult, it seems to me. It is very easy to continue to revert to special cause thinking (who did it? is often a sign of special cause thinking) – thinking that results are due to a special (unique) cause, instead of as the result of a system (which includes lots of common causes).
The value I see in this video is as a reminder for all those trying to operate with an understanding of variation. It is also a decent introduction, but much, much more would be needed to get people to understand why this matters and what is needed.
Related: Control Charts in Health Care – How to Create a Control Chart for Seasonal or Trending Data – Measurement and Data Collection – Six Sigma and Common Sense – European Blackout, not Human Error
Pingback: Integrating Technical and Human Management Systems » Curious Cat Management Improvement Blog