Policy information

Abstract

Ultimately, information is needed where performance is in doubt. For instance there may be evidence of malfunction strong enough to suggest a possible cause, yet evoking the need for a wider range of data to explore in search of inspiration, without giving any really definite idea of what to look for, or where to look. In other words this poses a question which cannot be answered without collecting the necessary information. If it is worth asking, the question is bound to be original, in which case it will almost certainly call for information not available in the required form (ready availability of information implies that the question itself is suspect and should very often be withdrawn altogether). For example, there may be a query as to:

Which is our best customer?

Which of our customers are we—unintentionally— mishandling?

Does our order book warrant rearranging our plant?

Should lead times be cut down, and if so, how?

Which special-tool supplier is best for which items?

Should capacity be extended, and if so, to which machine?