Spuddling
Solutions
Better conversations.
Better outcomes.
Better decisions.
Stop spuddling.
Start Making Data Count
Helping organisations tell the signal from the noise, focus on what matters and take the right action using Statistical Process Control.
What is spuddling?
Spuddle(verb)
An old English dialect word meaning:
"To make a lot of fuss about trivial things, as if they were important."
That perfectly describes what happens when organisations react to random variation instead of understanding it.
Through Spuddling Solutions, I help organisations, we help organisations stop spuddling and start making data count.
Traditional performance reporting often leads organisations to:
Debate every monthly fluctuation.
React to random variation.
Demand explanations for unimportant noise.
Celebrate changes that aren't really meaningful.
Spend valuable time discussing data instead of improving services.
Hi, I’m Sam Riley.
I’m the originator of Making Data Count and the founder of Spuddling Solutions.
I've spent my career helping healthcare organisations make better decisions by transforming the way they use data. Making Data Count challenged traditional approaches to performance reporting and introduced statistical thinking to help leaders distinguish meaningful change from random variation. I’ve supported some of the most challenged organisations in England to develop exemplary reporting.
Today, through Spuddling Solutions, I work with organisations that want to move beyond simply reporting data to using it with confidence to drive improvement, better decisions and better outcomes for patients, service users and carers.
Why work with me?
I’m a trusted advisor: I’ve worked with boards, executives, managers, analysts and clinicians to transform how they understand, discuss and act on data.
I’m a transformation leader: I led the national roll-out of Making Data Count across England, moving SPC in board reporting from the exception to the norm — from less than 5% of boards to over 80% — and changing how boards interpret, discuss and act on data.
I'm independently evidenced: The Making Data Count board training has been independently evaluated, with findings published in the British Medical Journal.
I’m an inspirational speaker: I’ve presented at countless events and been the keynote speaker on numerous occasions. I’ve energised people across the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Norway and Ghana.
“Sam - you shifted the Boards I chaired more than anybody else did in improving their performance management and understanding of data”
How can I help?
Wherever you work, whatever your sector or role, I can help you understand what your data is really telling you. By transforming how data is presented, interpreted and discussed, I can help you have better conversations, make better decisions and focus on what really matters.
Curious how? Scroll down to see my standard offers. And get in touch if you think I can help with something else.
Board support
A comprehensive package of support is available to enable boards to elevate their use of data to improve decision making and performance. For NHS boards in England, this package of support aligns with guidance from NHS England.
“We started working with Sam to develop our integrated quality and performance reporting system over 4 years ago. She made performance charts and SPC so relatable! And a driving force in our improvement! We’ve gone from being labelled the worst performing mental health trust in the country to the cusp of good (and indeed recently outstanding in some service areas). Sam has been fundamental to our improvement journey.”
Board development
A tailored session that reviews your current board report, highlights opportunities for improvement, showcases best practice, and provides a practical roadmap for creating performance reports that support better conversations and better decisions. The result is reporting that helps boards focus their attention on what matters, ask the right questions and act where action is needed.
Maximising your performance report
There are a range of things you need to get right to maximise the effectiveness of board performance discussions. As well as making key design decisions about the report itself, having the right policies, procedures and processes in place to support its development and ongoing production will ensure resources are used most effectively to support performance improvement.
Coaching
Personalised coaching for CEOs, Executive Directors, Non-Executive Directors and Chairs to build confidence in using performance data effectively. Executive Directors will learn how to present SPC and performance information with clarity and impact, while Non-Executive Directors will develop the skills to ask insightful questions and provide constructive challenge that strengthens board decision-making.
Board observation
Great board reports should lead to great board conversations. A board observation, undertaken after implementing a new SPC-based reporting approach, assesses how effectively performance information supports discussion, challenge and decision-making. I'll provide constructive feedback and practical recommendations to help your board get the most from its performance reporting.
Looking to create a data-driven organisation?
Get in touch to discuss an assessment of how data-driven you currently are and explore an organisation-wide transformation strategy
Delivering training
A variety of training options are available both face to face and virtually via MS Teams. A series of hour-long sessions, half day or full day workshops can be provided.
Using data to improve performance
Many organisations still rely on RAG reports to assess performance, despite their potential to mislead and drive poor decisions. This session introduces statistical process control (SPC) as a more reliable alternative. Participants leave confident in interpreting SPC charts and making sounder judgements about performance.
Using data to drive improvement
Starting your first improvement project can be daunting. How do you set clear aims, choose measures that demonstrate progress, and know when you've succeeded? What do you do if your interventions don’t work? This practical session provides the tools and confidence to use data effectively throughout your improvement journey.
Narrative that adds value
Too often, data narratives simply describe changes between reporting periods. Great data narrative does much more - it provides context, explains what the data means, and drives action. This session helps participants write clear, honest narratives that add value, support decision making and drive improvement.
Triangulating data
A well-triangulated dataset provides a richer, more reliable picture of performance which informs better conversations about what's really happening. Many organisations struggle with triangulation and don’t know where to start. This session provides practical advice on building a balanced set of measures to support more sophisticated discussions.
Data-driven conversations
You might expect that an SPC report supported by a strong narrative would naturally lead to a data-driven conversation. In practice, this is often not the case. This session demonstrates what effective data-driven conversations look like and offers practical tips for keeping discussions focused on evidence rather than opinion.
“The session was possibly one of the best training sessions I’ve attended within the NHS. Just marvellous!”
Bespoke workshops
In addition to the standard courses, tailored workshops can be designed around an organisation's specific requirements.
Keynotes
New South Wales Health Data Strategy launch 2026
Drawing on extensive experience in performance measurement, statistical process control (SPC) and improvement science, I combine real-world examples, storytelling and humour to make complex ideas simple, memorable and immediately applicable.
Whether it's a conference, leadership event or team development day, every presentation is tailored to your audience, leaving delegates with fresh perspectives and practical ideas they can put into action.
British Geriatrics Society conference 2023
Looking for an engaging keynote speaker who makes data practical, accessible and even fun? My presentations challenge conventional thinking and show leaders and teams how to use data to make better decisions and drive meaningful improvement.
“I still remember your presentation from years ago, which speaks volumes about your excellent delivery. ”
Ready to Chat?
