Drawing Conclusions
From Data to Action
Numbers alone do not improve anything. The value of the study lies in the conclusions and actions you derive from the data.
Key Questions to Answer
Your report should answer these questions:
✅ Productivity
- • What is the productive percentage?
- • Is it acceptable for the sector?
- • Is there a difference between work stations?
⏳ Opportunities
- • Which delays are most frequent?
- • What causes them?
- • Can they be eliminated or reduced?
❌ Problems
- • Is there a lot of non-productive time?
- • Is it a widespread or specific problem?
- • What could be causing it?
📈 Impact
- • How many hours are lost per day/month?
- • What is the economic cost?
- • What do we gain if we improve?
Structure of a Report
A typical executive report includes:
- 1 Executive Summary
Most important finding + key recommendation (1 paragraph)
- 2 Methodology
Parameters, duration, sample (credibility)
- 3 Results
Charts, tables, key data
- 4 Analysis
Interpretation, likely causes, patterns
- 5 Recommendations
Prioritised specific actions
- 6 Next Steps
Action plan, owners, follow-up
Conclusions Example
Based on sample data:
📋 Report: Assembly Line B - January 2025
Executive Summary
Line productivity is 68% (±5%), below the 75% target. The main cause identified is waiting for material (15%), which could be reduced by implementing a kanban system.
Key Findings
- • Productive: 68% | Delays: 20% | Non-productive: 12%
- • Biggest delay: Waiting for material (15%, ~1.2h/day)
- • Most productive work station: Inspector (82%)
- • Least productive work station: Packer (58%)
Recommendations
- 1. Implement a kanban system to reduce waiting for material
- 2. Analyse causes of low productivity at the Packer station
- 3. Repeat the study in Q2 to measure the impact of improvements
Calculate the Economic Impact
Translate percentages into money to give weight to your recommendations:
Sample calculation
| Hours worked/day: | 8h × 4 people = 32h |
| "Waiting for material" delay: | 15% × 32h = 4.8h/day |
| Average hourly cost: | $15/hour |
| Monthly cost (20 days): | $1,440/month |
Congratulations! 🎉
You have completed the full course on Work Sampling. You now know:
- ✅ What work sampling is and what it is for
- ✅ How to install and configure the app
- ✅ How to create studies with appropriate statistical parameters
- ✅ How to define work stations, tasks, and categories
- ✅ How to generate random observation plans
- ✅ How to record observations quickly
- ✅ How to analyse results and interpret charts
- ✅ How to export professional reports
- ✅ How to draw conclusions and make recommendations