How do you handle conflicting or inconsistent process analysis metrics?

2 Compare apples to apples

One of the common causes of conflicting or inconsistent metrics is comparing data that is not comparable. For example, you may be comparing different time periods, different segments, different sources, or different methods. To avoid this, you need to compare apples to apples. That means using the same criteria, scope, scale, and format for your data. You also need to account for any external factors that may affect your data, such as seasonality, trends, or events. If you need to compare different types of data, you need to use appropriate methods, such as normalization, standardization, or conversion.

3 Check your data quality

Another possible cause of conflicting or inconsistent metrics is poor data quality. Data quality refers to the accuracy, completeness, consistency, reliability, and timeliness of your data. Poor data quality can result from human errors, technical glitches, missing values, duplicates, outliers, or biases. To ensure your data quality, you need to check your data sources, methods, and tools. You also need to clean, validate, and verify your data regularly. You can use various techniques, such as data profiling, data auditing, data cleansing, or data quality assessment.

4 Resolve your conflicts

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you may still encounter conflicting or inconsistent metrics that cannot be explained or reconciled by the previous steps. In such cases, you need to resolve your conflicts by using logic, evidence, and judgment. You need to identify the source and the impact of the conflict, and decide which metric is more relevant, reliable, or useful for your purpose. You also need to document your decision and explain your rationale to your stakeholders. You may need to consult with experts, peers, or managers to help you resolve your conflicts.

5 Review and improve your process

Finally, you need to review and improve your process regularly to avoid or minimize conflicting or inconsistent metrics in the future. You need to monitor your metrics and track their changes over time. You need to evaluate your process and identify its strengths and weaknesses. You need to look for opportunities to improve your data collection, analysis, and reporting. You can use various tools, such as feedback, surveys, audits, or benchmarks, to help you review and improve your process.