CQI Learning Lunch

Operational Definitions
Host = Dennis Sergent, Sergent Results Group 517-381-5330

August 19th, 2010 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM

University Club of Michigan State 3435 Forest Road, Lansing, MI 48909 517-353-5111

What Can We Think About Differently?

THIS SLIDE HAS BEEN PART OF EVERY LEARNING LUNCH
Thinking Together
As Well As Alone

Rethinking What Do Our Words Mean?

Thinking? Working? Learning? Management? Leadership? Ethics? Investment? Interchangeability? Quality? Continuous? Together? Technology? Rethinking?

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SO WHY ARE OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS IMPORTANT?

Sergent Results Group 517-381-5330 2

They Mean Success or Failure

What operational definition makes this add up?

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A Definition to Consider
Wikipedia Defines it As:
An operational definition is a demonstration of a process such as a variable, term, or object in terms of the specific process or set of validation tests used to determine its presence and quantity. The term was coined by Percy Williams Bridgman (see Operationalization). Properties described in this manner must be sufficiently accessible, so that persons other than the definer may independently measure or test for them at will. An operational definition is generally designed to model a conceptual definition. The most operational definition is a process for identification of an object by distinguishing it from its background of empirical experience. The binary version produces either the result that the object exists, or that it doesn't, in the experiential field to which it is applied. The classifier version results in discrimination between what is part of the object and what is not part of it. This is also discussed in terms of semantics, pattern recognition, and operational techniques, such as regression. For example, the weight of an object may be operationally defined in terms of the specific steps of putting an object on a weighing scale. The weight is whatever results from following the measurement procedure, which can in principle be repeated by anyone. It is intentionally not defined in terms of some intrinsic or private essence. The operational definition of weight is just the result of what happens when the defined procedure is followed. In other words, what's being defined is how to measure weight for any arbitrary object, and only incidentally the weight of a given object. Operationalize means to put into operation. Operational definitions are also used to define system states in terms of a specific, publicly accessible process of preparation or validation testing, which is repeatable at will. For example, 100 degrees Celsius may be crudely defined by describing the process of heating water at sea level until it is observed to boil. An item like a brick, or even a photograph of a brick, may be defined in terms of how it can be made. Likewise, iron may be defined in terms of the results of testing or measuring it in particular ways. Vandervert (1980/1988) described in scientific detail a simple, every day illustration of an operational definition in terms of making a cake (i.e., its recipe is an operational definition used in a specialized laboratory known as the household kitchen). Similarly, the saying, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it must be some kind of duck, may be regarded as involving a sort of measurement process or set of tests (see duck test).

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Anyone see problems here?

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W. E. Demings Thinking
Shaped in part by Shewharts thinking & writing on statistics Demings definitions:
An operational definition puts communicable meaning into a concept. ... An operational definition is one that people can do business with. An operational definition of safe, round, reliable, or any other quality must be communicable, with the same meaning to vendor as to purchaser, same meaning yesterday and today to the production worker. Without operational definition, a specification is meaningless.

Demings Aim
Inspire further study and consideration The only communicable meaning . . . is the record of what happens on application of a specified operation or test.

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Sergent Results Group 517-381-5330

Examples For Consideration

The speed of light?
By what measure? What is the boundary between pollution and the lack of it? PPM? Is it the same for the dog dish, as for your dish? How about for disc drive? By which measure? Against a sample? What about on a monitor? Which monitors will be used for the test? How will they be calibrated? By weight or volume? Is it 50% fiber content? Could the top half be 100% cotton and the bottom half be 100% wool and still be compliant to the standard? Does that include the crook of your arm? Has the plane arrived on time when you sit on the tarmac for 10 minutes after landing? How about leaving the gate 5 minutes after departure time and arriving at your destination 5 minutes ahead of schedule?

Pollution? Clean? Red? Butter at 80% butterfat

50% Wool blanket What is a wrinkle?

What about On Time Performance?

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What is good flavor? How is it defined?

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Lunch!
Lets collect our lunch! Room will be secure Staff will take your drink orders in the meeting room When you return, start discussing at your table Make sure everyone is heard from Appoint one person to record your answers to the following questions!

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Sergent Results Group 517-381-5330

TABLE DISCUSSIONS
AT EACH TABLE DISCUSS AND DOCUMENT: WHAT ARE OUR NEXT ACTION STEPS? What did I learn here? What do we need to discuss next? Who else should be here? What will we do with this learning? When do we meet again?

THEN SHARE WITH FACILITATOR & ROOM WHEN ASKED

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Sergent Results Group 517-381-5330

Future Agenda
Future Discussions
Sep 13th, 2010 = Small Business - Quality Benefits Oct 8th, 2010 = Enabling Transformation - Principles & Planning Oct 26th, 2010 = Culture - What Is It and Can It be Adaptive & Full of Leadership? November 12th, 2010 = Overcoming Organizational Defenses (Productive Reasoning) December 15th, 2010 = Leadership (What is a Leader-ful Organization?) Brainstorming, Benchmarking Comparisons of Quality Management Systems Continuous Improvement Diversity (3 VOTES) Having Difficult Conversations - Principles and Tools Influence (Influencing Your Leader and Your Team) Innovation Lean Principles (2 VOTES) Motivation (2 VOTES) Overcoming Roadblocks (2 VOTES) PDSA - In More Detail (2 VOTES) Six Sigma

Other Subjects

What Are Your Ideas?

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Sergent Results Group 517-381-5330

CQI LEARNING LUNCH

Operational Definitions