A review and comparison between the different sources of where we generally collect data.

1. Section & Lesson #:
Pre-Requisite Lessons:
Complex Tools + Clear Teaching = Powerful Results
Different Sources of Data
Six Sigma-Measure – Lesson 3
A review and comparison between the different sources of where we
generally collect data.
None
Copyright © 2011-2019 by Matthew J. Hansen. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means
(electronic, mechanical, photographic, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without prior permission in writing by the author and/or publisher.

2. What are the paths for data?
o Source Data will either come from one or more systems or manual observations.
• Data from a system can come from direct queries or system-generated reports.
• Manual observations are never ideal, but they may be necessary if no source system exists.
o For this training, the destination will be Minitab after first being configured in Excel.
• Minitab is one of the most common among many software tools for doing statistical analysis.
Copyright © 2011-2019 by Matthew J. Hansen. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means (electronic, mechanical, photographic,
photocopying, recording or otherwise) without prior permission in writing by the author and/or publisher.
Source
System
System
Reports
Excel Minitab
Manual Observation

3. Comparing the Sources of Data
o What are the differences between each type of data source?
o Based on these characteristics, the ideal priorities for source data are:
1. Source System – consistent, comprehensive and generally accepted as reliable by SMEs.
2. System Reports – fast and consistent, though they may not have enough detail for analysis.
3. Manual Observation – small samples and inconsistent, but often the only source available.
o The data source should balance with the analysis risks vs. rewards (time vs. accuracy).
Copyright © 2011-2019 by Matthew J. Hansen. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means (electronic, mechanical, photographic,
photocopying, recording or otherwise) without prior permission in writing by the author and/or publisher.
3
General
Characteristics
Can you get the data quickly? Usually Yes No
Is the data detailed? Yes No Yes
Is the data consistent? Yes Yes No
Is historical data available? Yes Yes No
Is the data easy to get (not
requiring unique expertise)?
No Yes Yes
Is the data customizable? Maybe No Yes
Is the data generally accepted
as reliable?
Yes Yes No
Source
System
System
Report
s
Manual
Observation

4. Practical Application
o Think of at least 3 prior situations you’ve worked where you had collected data.
• For each situation, try to answer the following questions:
 What was the source for the collected data (i.e., source system, system report, or manual observation)?
 Why was that particular source used for collecting your data?
 What were some of the disadvantages (if any) by using that particular data source?
 If time were not a concern, then what would’ve been the most ideal source of data for the situation?
Copyright © 2011-2019 by Matthew J. Hansen. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means (electronic, mechanical, photographic,
photocopying, recording or otherwise) without prior permission in writing by the author and/or publisher.
4