Variation Types

Variation icons show whether a measure has special cause variation, and whether that variation is improving or concerning. There are four types of icon:

Icon Definition
Variation Common Cause Common Cause Variation which indicates that there is no significant change in the process
Variation Special Cause Concern Variation Special Cause Concern Special cause variation of concerning nature due to (H)igher or (L)ower values
Variation Special Cause Improvement Variation Special Cause Improvement Special cause variation of improving nature due to (H)igher or (L)ower values
Variation Special Cause Neutral Variation Special Cause Neutral Special cause variation due to higher or lower values, when the Improvement Direction is Neutral

The icons are based on the patterns turned on in Outlier Settings; with none turned on, the icon is always common cause. By default only the patterns at the last point are considered (Flag Only Last Point); turning it off considers every point. More than one icon shows when patterns in both directions are found. See NHS Icons for these settings.

For more information on variation icons, please see the NHS guide: Making data count - Strengthening your decisions.