What does variation in a measure indicate about its performance over time?

Variation in a measure is an important concept in quality management and performance assessment. When there is variation, it indicates a deviation from what is considered the norm or expected performance over time. This can manifest as fluctuations in data that might suggest inconsistency in processes or outcomes.

When performance exhibits variation, it is crucial to understand whether the variation is due to common causes (which are inherent to the process) or special causes (which may suggest problems or opportunities for improvement). Therefore, recognizing variation allows organizations to assess the stability of their processes and identify areas that may require attention. It serves as a signal that further investigation is needed to maintain or enhance quality.

In contrast, other answer options consider consistent results, improvements, or stability, which suggest a lack of variation, indicating predictable and controlled performance rather than the presence of variation itself. Thus, choosing the acknowledgment of variation as a deviation from the norm is fundamental to understanding how performance can fluctuate and what it implies for process quality.