DataFlux

Here are the facts, Jack!

All outcomes (or the results) are determined by the inputs. I love this! It is much like ‘Garbage in/Garbage Out’! Don’t you think? This says that what I put into a system (data and process steps) determine how effective the system will be. If we put in redundant steps with incorrect data – we have created an ineffective system. This costs the corporation money! - Read the rest of this entry »

The last and very important step, of Six Sigma is Control. This includes monitoring, over time, the controls (KPIs) that you set up for this system or process. This step begs the question, “How do I sustain this over time?” In our example of xyz Corporation we found the issue, and created an improved process to handle the duplicate customer information. We now need to set up the correct monitoring for this process to ensure its future success. - Read the rest of this entry »

The improve step of Six Sigma is where we develop enhancements, validate, and implement the solution based on the scope, and problem statement (See Define). I like this part too! This is really where the rubber meets the road. - Read the rest of this entry »

Analyze includes using the tools (I love tools!) and the data (I love data!) to understand relationships in the system(s). There are lots of charts here with capability analysis for use in the analyze phase. We are analyzing cause and effect relationships in our processes or systems. - Read the rest of this entry »

The next step in the six sigma methodology is measure. Measure determines the performance and capabilities of the system or process improvement process. This includes system inventories, data assessments and validation, and process understanding. I think this may be my ‘sweet spot’! Here we are looking for an ‘As-Is’ look at this process or system within the corporation. - Read the rest of this entry »

Define includes the instruments that any corporation uses to define a project. This could be problem statements, scopes, feasibility studies, and a project plan. Basically, you are selecting a project based on a prioritization process. I would think this is a steering committee or corporate governance committee. After the project has been selected, and it is feasible to start, a problem statement and scope is created. - Read the rest of this entry »

A while back I blogged on the need for event driven data quality not to be overlooked in any enterprise data quality initiative.  I had some good responses on that blog and so I thought I would build on it as we seem to be heading more and more down this event-driven road especially as companies deploy service oriented architectures (SOA) that have enterprise service bus (ESB) technology at the heart of them to carry the growing flow of messages between systems within the enterprise and between enterprises.  You may still have batch oriented data quality at the centre of your information quality strategy which is absolutely needed but let me for a moment open up the debate for a new agile approach to data quality if I may. - Read the rest of this entry »

I had an interesting discussion with a colleague the other day about monitoring data quality compliance. I have been advocating instituting ongoing monitors to detect violations of known data quality issues in process to alert a data steward when a data issue is identified. My colleague thinks that the practicality of ongoing monitoring is limited. He may have a point. - Read the rest of this entry »

Some of my clients say, “Heh, I’m a Green Belt or Black Belt in Six Sigma, what are you?” My response was usually, “Huh?” I kept thinking, what is the big deal about Six Sigma? It is a problem solving methodology with lots and lots of diagrams, to improve business performance. Then I started thinking how I could apply this methodology to some of my data issues (usually in companies who use Six Sigma!). - Read the rest of this entry »

I just read a RFP for an integrated system that has about 62 source systems. This is scaring the heck out of me! I am sitting here thinking the following: - Read the rest of this entry »