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How Big Should My Dot Be? Using Spreadsheet Simulation to Evaluate Process Improvement Data Collection Strategies

Author

Listed:
  • Keith A. Willoughby

    (Department of Finance and Management Science, Edwards School of Business, University of Saskatchewan, 25 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK Canada S7N 5A7)

  • Gary F. Teare

    (Saskatchewan Health Quality Council, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 3R2 Canada)

Abstract

Occasionally, healthcare professionals approach analytical topics and courses with a blend of fear and loathing. They may fail to grasp the connection between particular principles and their application to actual process analysis and improvement. The run chart is a persuasively powerful quantitative tool. Healthcare teams could use this tool to better comprehend the extent of process changes over time. Although constructing the run chart is mathematically simple, healthcare professionals may be uncertain as to sample size sufficiency. They may also be unsure of the number of observations required in run chart subgroups. We developed a spreadsheet simulation model to provide enhanced relevance for the topic of run chart subgroup size determination. This classroom-tested active learning exercise helps healthcare teams to visually understand the relationships between subgroup size, underlying process variation, and anticipated levels of improvement.

Suggested Citation

  • Keith A. Willoughby & Gary F. Teare, 2017. "How Big Should My Dot Be? Using Spreadsheet Simulation to Evaluate Process Improvement Data Collection Strategies," INFORMS Transactions on Education, INFORMS, vol. 17(3), pages 93-98, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:orited:v:17:y:2017:i:3:p:93-98
    DOI: 10.1287/ited.2016.0160
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Weiyu Tsai & Don G. Wardell, 2006. "An Interactive Excel VBA Example for Teaching Statistics Concepts," INFORMS Transactions on Education, INFORMS, vol. 7(1), pages 125-135, September.
    2. Howard R. Clayton & Chetan S. Sankar, 2009. "Using Spreadsheets to Enhance Learning in the Affective Domain for Undergraduate Statistics Students," INFORMS Transactions on Education, INFORMS, vol. 10(1), pages 10-17, September.
    3. Thomas A. Grossman, 2006. "Integrating Spreadsheet Engineering in a Management Science Course: A Hierarchical Approach," INFORMS Transactions on Education, INFORMS, vol. 7(1), pages 18-36, September.
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