Work Order Variation

Principles

#1: You should expect things to vary - they always do

• Natural variation is present in every system
• We can't reach the average result every time.
• Command order never have the same size and the same distribution of activities
• Different result from the same of different people

#2: Understanding variation will tell you what to expect

• Using a SPC chart, you can see if the variation is predictable or unpredictable (outside control limit)

#3: Work on the cause of variations

Majority of the variation is found in the system itself, outside of individuals

example of sources:

• policies
• roles
• organizational structure
• procedures
• requirements
• funding 
• information

Manager should try to minimize the variation by working on the sources.

Unpredictable variability (special cause) are not treated the same as predictable variability (common cause).

#4: Understanding variation tells you when something has happened

Using target in processes with variations:

• don't motivate people in long run
• can demotivate a team
• encourage cheating (low quality, gaming the system)

Motivation come from:

• Autonomy
• Mastery
• Purpose