Why measurement is important

Measurement is core to your improvement journey as it demonstrates if your changes have lead to improvement and track your progress towards your project aim. 

Watch the animation below for an overview of Measurement.

Introduction to Measurement for Improvement

• Why is measurement necessary?
• The difference between data for improvement and data for other purposes
• Qualitative and quantitative data      

Understanding Variation

• What is variation and why we need to understand it
• Types of variation
• How to look at variation
• SPC charts
• Reacting to variation

Developing your measures

• Improvement project measures
• Deciding what to measure
• Types of data
• Defining your measures

Data Collection

• Planning your data collection
• Sampling
• Collecting and storing your data

Presenting data

• The importance of good data visualisation
• Principles of data visualisation and design
• Choosing the right chart for the job
• Tips for good charts
• Presenting charts to a group

Measurement plan

A measurement plan sets out details for each measure proposed for an improvement project.

Run chart

A run chart is a line graph of data plotted over time. By collecting and charting data over time, you can find trends or patterns in the process.

SPC charts

Statistical Process Control (SPC) charts are simple graphical tools that enable process performance monitoring.  

Funnel plot

A funnel plot is a chart that helps to understand variation within a system.

Scatter plot

A graph in which the values of two variables are plotted along two axes, the pattern of the resulting points revealing any correlation present.

Pareto chart

A Pareto Chart is a tool to help you understand your system.

Histogram 

A histogram is a plot that lets you discover, and show, the underlying frequency distribution (shape) of a set of continuous data.

Note: To access eLearning modules you will need to register for a Turas account and be logged into the site.

eLearning on tablets

Please note that the Quality Improvement e-learning modules can be accessed on mobile devices. However devices may require installation of additional software to allow full functionality of the modules (e.g. Puffin app).