There is variation everywhere. Look around there are no true clones of anything, everything is at least slightly different. Even in identical twins there is a difference that the parents can see to tell them apart. It is variation in the world that feeds evolution. It is this variation that allows life to survive on this planet. Not everything survives but those that adapt (change/ vary) to the changing world do survive. So as a society we tend to classify things at any given moment. Classification gives us an ability to take a look at things and figure out what makes them “tick” (survive). These classification come in one of two types. Those two types are categorical (discrete) information (data) and numerical (continuous) information (data).
Variation Classifications:
Let’s take a good look at these two types of classification of information I call data. First there is Categorical (discrete) data.
Definitions:
Categorical – Belonging to a category.
Categorize – To describe by labeling or giving a name to a group of characteristics.
Discrete – Apart or detached from others; separate; distinct.
Categorical data can only be one of a limited number of non-numerical choices. It is sometimes, in numerical terms (becomes numerical data), called count data because the only way to measure it is by counting. Examples of this type of data are:
- Best/better/worse
- Small/Medium/Large
- Restaurant $$ ratings
- Movie ** ratings
- Pass/Fail
- Yes/No
- Red cars
- Doctors
- Broken
- Repaired
Second is Numerical ( continuous) data.
Definitions:
Numerical – of or pertaining to numbers; of the nature of a number.
Continuous – uninterrupted in time; without cessation.
Numerical data is from a measuring process. Examples of this type of data are:
- Height
- Weight
- Length
- Depth
- Voltage
- Time
Business and Variation:
In businesses we compensate for variation to try to meet customer needs and expectations. This compensation cost money. In Six Sigma we try to understand and deal with this variation. We use statistics to help recognize and thus assess the variation by organizing it in a meaningful way. Statistics help change assumptions to conclusions about where the errors (variations) are and how bad it is affecting our business. Statistics help “Picture” the variation we feel or think is happening.
Definition
Statistic – a numerical fact usually computed from a sample.
Well there you have my thoughts on understanding variation. Next time I am going to discuss measuring that variation and the proper scale of measurement to use depending on the type of variation you are trying to measure. If, you have questions or comments please feel free to contact me by leaving a comment below, emailing me, calling me, or leaving a comment on my website.
Bersbach Consulting
Peter Bersbach
Six Sigma Master Black Belt
http://sixsigmatrainingconsulting.com
peter@bersbach.com
1.520.829.0090
