📖 What is Direct Observation?
Going to the source or the workplace to witness activities and processes firsthand rather than relying on second-hand reports or metrics.
"Go to the 'gemba' (the real place). Reports only tell you what was measured, observation tells you what actually happens."
📚 Certification: ITIL 4 Foundation (ITIL4-Foundation)
🔑 What are the Key Concepts of Direct Observation?
- ▸ Essential technique for 'Start where you are'.
- ▸ Helps uncover hidden workarounds, culture, and informal processes.
- ▸ Reduces reliance on potentially flawed metrics (the 'watermelon effect').
🎯 How does Direct Observation appear on the ITIL4-Foundation Exam?
A scenario where metrics look green but customers are unhappy; the solution is direct observation.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Why shouldn't we just trust our metrics?
Metrics can be manipulated or may not measure the true user experience. Direct observation validates the reality.