01 · Purpose
Why and when to use it
Use it after the definitions and plan are ready. Consistent collection creates a defensible baseline and preserves the context needed for later analysis.
Who takes part?
The measurement owner works with people who understand the process and the recorded data. Statistical or measurement-system decisions should involve someone able to check the assumptions and study design.
02 · Application
How to apply it
Start with an agreed measurement purpose, explicit units and trustworthy observations. Identify missing cases and assumptions before calculating.
- Check the purpose, eligible cases and collection instructions.
- Trial the method on a few cases and resolve unclear classifications.
- Collect according to the planned sampling and time coverage.
- Record identifiers, timestamps and relevant context consistently.
- Log missing observations and deviations; retain raw data and a cleaning record.
03 · Example
A worked measurement example
Original fictional teaching example. Small datasets illustrate the method; they are not proposed as sufficient study sizes. Supplied parameters are assumptions, not estimates from a real process.
| Order | Promised date | Handover date | Recorded result |
|---|---|---|---|
| A01 | 10 June | 10 June | On time |
| A02 | 10 June | 11 June | Late |
| A03 | 10 June | Missing | Unknown; investigate, do not classify as on time |
04 · Interpretation
What the result tells you
Unknown cases remain visible. Excluding them without reporting their number could make the process appear better than it is.
Completion check: A traceable dataset collected under agreed rules, with deviations and missingness recorded.
05 · Judgement
Mistakes and limitations
Do not invent missing observations, retrospectively change rules without a record, or select only convenient cases. Staff may alter behaviour when observed; record collection conditions.
07 · Reading
Sources and further reading
The tool list follows the accepted LeanTrainingLab overview and its reference to Six Sigma+Lean Toolset, second edition (Lunau, editor; Springer, 2013). The book chapters were not available for direct review during this build. Explanations, examples and worksheets are original teaching material. Further reading supplies professional background; local conventions are stated explicitly.