Improvement and problem solving is through the use of surveys

One of the most widely used tools on process improvement and problem solving is through the use of surveys. “Surveys are used to gather “soft” data, such as opinions, from people as well as “hard” data, such as age and income” (Hoerl & Snee, 2012-04-09). As mentioned in our textbook, surveys can be very complex, or fairly simple, but if “they are not properly conducted, the information in the subsequent data will be seriously limited” (Hoerl & Snee, 2012-04-09).  One notable example survey that we see rolling in our mail every 10 years is that of U.S. Census. Most U.S. citizens are not aware that there is much more to the purpose of this survey. “The data collected by the decennial census determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives and is also used to distribute billions in federal funds to local communities” (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010). The sample survey 2010 form was as follows: