Operational_Definitions.pdf

8/13/2019 Operational_Definitions.pdf

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CQI Learning Lunch

Operational DefinitionsHost = Dennis Sergent, Sergent Results Group

517-381-5330

August 19th, 201010:30 AM to 1:00 PM

University Club of Michigan State

3435 Forest Road, Lansing, MI 48909

517-353-5111


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8/5/10 Sergent Results Group 517-381-5330 2

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?

SO WHY ARE OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS IMPORTANT?


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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 definitionis a demonstration of a process such as a variable, term, or objectin terms of thespecific process or set of validation testsused to determine its presence and quantity. The term was coinedby Percy Williams Bridgman(see Operationalization). Properties described in this manner must besufficiently accessible, so that persons other than the definer may independently measure or test for them atwill.

An operational definition is generally designed to model a conceptual definition. The most operationaldefinition is a process for identificationof an object by distinguishing it from its backgroundof empiricalexperience. The binary version produces either the result that the object exists, or that it doesn't, in theexperiential field to which it is applied. The classifierversion results in discrimination between what is part ofthe object and what is not part of it. This is also discussed in terms of semantics, pattern recognition, andoperational techniques, such as regression. For example, the weight of an object may be operationallydefined in terms of the specific steps of putting an object on a weighing scale. The weight is whateverresults from following the measurement procedure, which can

in principle be repeated by anyone. It isintentionally not defined in terms of some intrinsic or private essence. The operational definition of weight isjust the result of what happens when the defined procedure is followed. In other words, what's beingdefined 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 interms 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 sealevel until it is observed to boil. An item like a brick, or even a photograph of a brick, may be defined interms of how it can be made. Likewise, iron may be defined in terms of the results of testing or measuring itin particular ways. Vandervert (1980/1988) described in scientific detail a simple, every day illustration of anoperational definition in terms of making a cake (i.e., its recipe is an operational definition used in aspecialized laboratory known as the household kitchen). Similarly, the saying, if it walks like a duck andquacks like a duck, it must be some kind of duck, may be regarded as involving a sort of measurementprocess or set of tests (see duck test).

Anyone see problems here?


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W. E. Demings Thinking

Shaped in part by Shewharts thinking & wri ting 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 qualitymust be communicable, with the same meaning to vendor as topurchaser, same meaning yesterday and today to the productionworker.

Without operational definition, a specification is meaningless.

Demings Aim Inspire further study and consideration

The only communicable meaning . . . is the record of what happenson application of a specified operation or test.


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Examples For Consideration

The speed of light? By what measure?

Pollution? What is the boundary between pollution and the lack of it? PPM?

Clean? Is it the same for the dog dish, as for your dish? How about for disc drive?

Red?

By which measure? Against a sample?What about on a monitor? Which monitorswill be used for the test? How will they be calibrated?

Butter at 80% butterfat By weight or volume?

50% Wool blanket 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?

What is a wrinkle? Does that include the crook of your arm?

What about On Time Performance ? 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 yourdestination 5 minutes ahead of schedule?

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 thefollowing questions!


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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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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 Adapt ive & Full of Leadership?

November 12th, 2010 = Overcoming Organizational Defenses (Productive Reasoning)

December 15th, 2010 = Leadership (What is a Leader-ful Organization?)

Other Subjects Brainstorming, Benchmarking

Comparisons of Quality Management Systems

Continuous Improvement

Diversi ty (3 VOTES)

Having Difficult Conversations - Principles and Tools

Influence (Influencing Your Leader and Your Team)

Innovation

Lean Princip les (2 VOTES)

Motivation (2 VOTES) Overcoming Roadblocks (2 VOTES)

PDSA - In More Detail (2 VOTES)

Six Sigma

What Are Your Ideas?


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Operational Definitions

CQI LEARNING LUNCH

Documents

Operational_Definitions.pdf