JOINT ANALYSIS LESSONS LEARNED CENTRE NATO'S LEAD AGENT JOINT ANALYSIS

Statistical Analysis
Notes
Where to Find Statistical Analysis Help
The Joint Analysis Handbook (Reference E) gives information about
statistical analysis. Additionally, Excel provides information in its Help file
(press F1 or select the help menu and search for “statistical analysis”).
Also, do not hesitate to ask for help—for example, most professional
operational analysts love to show off their prowess at statistics!
Statistical analysis is a field of mathematics related to drawing
conclusions about a large population based on limited sample data. All
LLSOs should have some familiarity with statistical methods and be able
to summarize data with descriptive statistics.
Basic Statistics for a LLSO
A LLSO should have some understanding of:
The distinction between qualitative variables (either categorical, e.g.
military services, or ordinal, e.g. military rank) and quantitative
variables (numbers).
Descriptive statistics including: range, mean, mode, median,
standard deviation, quartiles, etc., and how to find them using a
calculator or a spreadsheet application.
Proportions, ratios, and percentages.
Data representation using pie charts, bar charts, histograms and x-y
scatter plots and determining which is most appropriate for your
data.
Six Thinking Hats
The six thinking hats method is used to explore an issue using the six
main modes of thinking, ultimately giving you different points of view. A
technique for a group, it supposes the existence of six hats in different
colours, each one representing a different way of thinking. When you
figuratively put on one of the hats, it is mandatory to think only in that
particular way. Each person selects a hat and ideas are discussed. Hats
are then changed until everyone in the group has worn all six hats. At
the end of the session, the participants record their ideas and apply them
to solving the problem.
Plus/Minus/Interesting
Plus/Minus/Interesting is a variation on the more common advantages
and disadvantages technique, by introducing a third category:
interesting. The interesting category is used to record all possible
outcomes and implications of adopting a strategy, whether positive
(advantage), negative (disadvantage), or uncertain.
Pairwise Comparison Analysis
Pairwise comparison is used to support course-of-action analysis and
compares each possible pair of possible solutions (courses of action)
against a number of factors. It is a good way of weighing the relative
importance of the different courses of action against one or more factors
and is useful when priorities are not clear.
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