Making stats relative? (One for the math folk!)

[NewShoes]

Hey all,

I have a set of simple stats at work which is made up of 3 columns. The first column shows how many people COULD complete a task. The second column shows how many people HAVE completed the task. The third column is a % of 'Have' against 'Could'.

Now, this is where it gets tricky. In different depratments there could be more or less people who COULD complete the task. So, the % column shows the percentage for that row but overall, it's not a true picture, as some departments have more staff.....(is this making any sense?).

For example,


Dept A has 50 staff who COULD complete the task, and 25 people HAVE. This gives 50%.

Dept B has 10 staff who COULD complete the task, and 7 have. This gives 70% but looking simply at the % column (as managers will), it will not be a true reflection!

Hope that makes sense!......Any solutions?

-NS

 

[CharlesWilliams]

At first glance it looks like you could use an IF statement. Could you possibly Post a sample so I could look at it? I use Excel 2000.

 

[chergh]

This is why we draw management pictures, use a stacked column chart or something.

 

[Brianwarnock]

Hey all,

For example,

Dept A has 50 staff who COULD complete the task, and 25 people HAVE. This gives 50%.

Dept B has 10 staff who COULD complete the task, and 7 have. This gives 70% but looking simply at the % column (as managers will), it will not be a true reflection!

Hope that makes sense!......Any solutions?

-NS

This ex manager is having trouble understanding what the problem is to which you are seeking a solution. What do managers see, in your opinion? And what should they see?

Brian