A few thoughts from Lord Kelvin:

A few thoughts from Lord Kelvin:

"To measure is to know."

"If you cannot measure it, you cannot improve it."

“If a single measurement is in question, your entire investigation is in question.”

"In physical science the first essential step in the direction of learning any subject is to find principles of numerical reckoning and practicable methods for measuring some quality connected with it. I often say that when you can measure what you are speaking about, and express it in numbers, you know something about it; but when you cannot measure it, when you cannot express it in numbers, your knowledge is of a meagre and unsatisfactory kind; it may be the beginning of knowledge, but you have scarcely in your thoughts advanced to the state of Science, whatever the matter may be."

Some added precautions by Doug:

·         Understand the difference between accuracy and resolution.

·         Be certain of the measurement systems you are using (English vs SI).

·         Make certain your instruments are calibrated … before you begin.

·         Each measurement (passing or failing) must be free of ambiguity and traceable to each test.

·         Be known by your peers for your attention to detail.