Question

which department had the best average productivity over the last month?

department 1
department 2
department 3
department 4
department 5

Explanation:

Identify data points for each department

Using the Data Interpretation and Performance Metrics knowledge points, we first extract the weekly performance percentages for each department from the line graph over the four-week period:

• Department 1 (solid blue line with asterisks):
• Week 1: \(103\%\)
• Week 2: \(101\%\)
• Week 3: \(99\%\)
• Week 4: \(95\%\)

• Department 2 (solid yellow line with triangles):
• Week 1: \(103\%\)
• Week 2: \(106\%\)
• Week 3: \(100\%\)
• Week 4: \(101\%\)

• Department 3 (solid green line with squares):
• Week 1: \(91\%\)
• Week 2: \(98\%\)
• Week 3: \(101\%\)
• Week 4: \(105\%\)

• Department 4 (dashed orange line with diamonds):
• Week 1: \(97\%\)
• Week 2: \(110\%\)
• Week 3: \(89\%\)
• Week 4: \(102\%\)

• Department 5 (dotted light blue line with circles):
• Week 1: \(95\%\)
• Week 2: \(94\%\)
• Week 3: \(97\%\)
• Week 4: \(93\%\)

Calculate the sum of performance percentages

To find the average productivity, we first sum the weekly values for each department:

• Department 1:

$$ 103\% + 101\% + 99\% + 95\% = 398\% $$

• Department 2:

$$ 103\% + 106\% + 100\% + 101\% = 410\% $$

• Department 3:

$$ 91\% + 98\% + 101\% + 105\% = 395\% $$

• Department 4:

$$ 97\% + 110\% + 89\% + 102\% = 398\% $$

• Department 5:

$$ 95\% + 94\% + 97\% + 93\% = 379\% $$

Calculate the average productivity

We divide each sum by \(4\) weeks to find the average weekly productivity:

• Department 1:

$$ \frac{398\%}{4} = 99.5\% $$

• Department 2:

$$ \frac{410\%}{4} = 102.5\% $$

• Department 3:

$$ \frac{395\%}{4} = 98.75\% $$

• Department 4:

$$ \frac{398\%}{4} = 99.5\% $$

• Department 5:

$$ \frac{379\%}{4} = 94.75\% $$

Compare averages to find the best performer

Comparing the calculated averages:

• Department 2 has the highest average productivity at \(102.5\%\).
• Therefore, Department 2 had the best average productivity over the last month.

Answer:

• Department 1
• Department 2 (Correct answer)
• Department 3
• Department 4
• Department 5