Before measurement data, that is figures and associated units of measurement, can be used, they must be converted into information that carries a clear and unequivocal message. This can be done by putting the data in the right context. For example, having measured the diameter of a pin and found it equal to 9.950 mm, a measurement result has been obtained but no conclusion can be made yet as to the necessary action to be undertaken. By comparing this figure with the tolerance range of the pin according to specifications – between 9.960 and 9.990 mm, it can be seen that this particular pin is out of tolerance, i.e. it is not conforming to specifications. Similarly, saying that s for the machining process used to produce the same pin was found equal to 0.008 mm is a piece of data that does not convey a clear message to the manager. But comparing this figure to the tolerance range it becomes clear that the range of variation of the diameter of the pins produced by this process which corresponds to 6 s is equal to 0.048 mm which is greater than the tolerance range (0.030 mm). The conclusion is that the capability of this production process is not adequate for the purpose and a more precise process should be found to produce these pins.