Tag: Metrics

TL;DR: Headlines say Bourbon and alcohol sales are collapsing. But when you zoom out, the data tells a different story. In this post, I...

Summary: Today's "mixtape" post brings together timely ideas on continuous improvement, leadership, productivity, and workplace culture. From avoiding "blank slate" metrics and rethinking PDCA/PDSA...

Charts like this always make me wonder why we throw away the additional context of data from 2016 when we start the 2017 chart. It's unlikely that January 1st in any given year is the magical creation of a new system or a new process. In other words, January 2017 was likely the same process as December 2016. The annual cutoffs are arbitrary. Sure, people are accustomed to thinking in annual cycles, but is this helpful for improvement?

We love comparisons. Today vs. last week This month vs. last month This year vs. last year It feels responsible. Analytical. "Data driven." But most of the time,...

TL;DR: A USPS clerk tapping the green smiley face on a customer feedback screen is a small but telling example of gaming the system....

TL;DR: When leaders apply pressure instead of support, people don't improve processes--they distort data or hide problems. Real improvement starts when leaders make it...

TL;DR: Red metrics aren't "good," but they shouldn't trigger blame or panic either. The real problem isn't red--it's leaders getting mad instead of curious....

This edition of Ryan McCormack's Operational Excellence Mixtape challenges leaders to rethink how they use data, technology, and culture in the pursuit of improvement....

tl;dr: If leaders have to "do the math in their heads" to see trends, the chart isn't doing its job. Bowling charts hide signals...

tl;dr: Reacting to "two reds in a row" is a flawed metrics habit. Process Behavior Charts reveal real signals, helping leaders avoid overreacting to...

Thanks, as always, to Ryan McCormack for this. He always shares so much good reading, listening, and viewing here! Subscribe to get these directly...

KaiNexus uses Process Behavior Charts and Deming's principles to separate signal from noise, helping leaders avoid reactive decisions and focus on improvements that truly...