It can increase understanding of how processes are operating, and why operations are failing to produce expected results. These kinds of answers help employees learn about work processes, and lead to discovery of why problems occur. Whenever I find a set of meaningful measurements, producing results, there are 10 preexisting conditions which have been met. The measurements are successful because the prerequisites for success have been provided. The measurement tools used are appropriate for the task at hand, i.e. not too simple or complex.
People use the measurements to stimulate thought, discussion and actions.
Several years ago, l started consulting with a supplier of long lead, precision industrial equipment. At the time we began, their profits and on-time deliveries had deteriorated badly. We initiated a series of measurements to gather information, stimulate projects and drive the organization's quality improvement process. Figure 1 shows the charts that were initiated, each directed toward improving quality, reducing delinquencies and eliminating unnecessary cost. Only the highlights are included, since many processes were involved.