I like to collect data on many aspects of my daily life, at work and at home. I believe that data will give a snapshot of a particular subject and help look at the big picture. Making informed decisions based on facts is important. In my job many decisions are made by looking at performance indexes. For example, some promotions are based on what we call “cutting score.” This is a composite number of performance on several activities such as the rifle range, physical fitness test, education courses, etc… This score, is compared to the minimum score projected for promotion for a particular occupation specialty, and if met along with time in grade, a promotion is granted. I believe this is a good way to do promotions. It is based on performance points that are taken from individual efforts making it a very personal score.
Higher promotions take in consideration a fitness report. This report is an assessment of leadership qualities. It is intended to present a fair and balanced word picture of the person up for promotion. This adds a variable into the equation. Many times the “painted” word picture will depend on the writing ability of the person submitting the fitness report. The result sometimes can be deceiving.
When a methodic study is done, variables are identified and attempted to be controlled to make the study more valid. This is a scientific approach; unfortunately, controlling variables is not always possible outside a scientific study. Therefore the data driven decision making can be skewed due to the human element and life. When decisions are made purely looking at numbers without taking in consideration the extenuating circumstances, wrong decisions can follow. Care, objectivity and knowledge about the subject must be a part of the person interpreting the results.
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Hello
About Me
- Rosa
- Murrieta, California, United States
- I have been in the Marine Corps for over 20 years. I have to say that being in the military is not about money but about loving what you do. Pretty much like a teacher. When I look back, I see that the military has given me the opportunity to play many roles: student, teacher, instructor, mentor, peer and leader. I have learned a lot and I am thankful.
10 comments:
Sounds like you have some great DDDM tools in place. Do you get to have any input on changing them or updating or making them more useful?
Hello Rosa,
A Data-Driven-Decision-Making tool is only as good as the ability/capability of the person using it. The use of this tool, in conjunction with other tools is a good, common-sense approach. The use of multiple tools greatly helps the user in the identification of deficiencies, limitations, skewing, etc. Thus, allowing Data-Driven-Decision-Making to be a good tool to use.
Hi Rosa,
Data driven decision making technique is exercised and applied in just about any situation. It helps and gives the final decision more information or fact to base on. At least if the final decision does not work out as expected, there would be some facts or data to back up, modify, or re-learn for next time. The only thing I can think of is this decision making must be used productively or constructively. It also makes the “collecting” of data becomes very important. The “collecting” of data must be as accurate and useful as possible to help the final decision. Sometimes, basing on the collected data, as we called “base on paper work” can cause bad decision. In some case, an incompetent person can get advance just because his record “looks” good on paper instead of a capable person, who should be promoted.
De Nguyen
Hello Rosa,
You have some DDDM tool usage in your life. I like that you put include it as a way for promotion we often forget that we need DDDm in gather the information our boss may need.
Rosa,
I agree with you that data driven decision making should be based upon quanitative data rather than opinions, especially in your example. If there was a way to somehow control all of the variable factors in the awarding of higher promotions, this might be useful. Good example!
James
Hi Rosa,
The most important point you made in your response was that the data collected, when analyzed must utilize the human element. The human element will be able to input the extenuating circumstances that may have influenced the data and put that info into its proper prospective. However, it is important too, to have another DDDM tool in place to critigue the information provided by the human elelment for humans incorporate subject data based on their personal reasoning.
Bottom line is that data collection has always been around; it is just more comprehensive now and more often than not it is used against someone or something as opposed to assisting in creating a better today and tomorrow.
DOROTHY
Hi Rosa,
Very interesting, I agree with you even the most effective data driven decision making tools are dependent on the human element.
Rosa,
I agree with you that Data Driven Decision Making tools are dependent on the human element.
Hi jon,
To answer your earlier question, I have to say the traditions and procedures are already in place and it takes a long process to change any aspect.Procedures are in place to submit for changes. Fortnately, there is room for human input in the cutting score. There is a score given to the Marine based on performance and conduct. This score is also added to the equation for the final cutting score.
Talk about high-stakes testing! This post raises this question for me:
Is it possible to meaningfully quantify and objectify enough aspects of human performance to try to take the human element out of the process?
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