Executive Q&A Prep Sheet: The Business Case for the IQR Rule

Q1: Why not use machine learning instead?

Because the IQR rule is transparent, fast, and defensible. ML models are powerful, but they’re harder to explain, require more data, and introduce governance overhead. The IQR rule gives immediate value with zero complexity.

Q2: How long does it take to implement?

Minutes, not months. It works in Excel, Power Query, SQL, and Python — no new systems or training required.

Q3: Will it replace our existing analytics?

No — it strengthens them. The IQR rule becomes a first‑pass anomaly filter that improves the quality of every downstream model, dashboard, and forecast.

Q4: What’s the measurable benefit?

Teams typically reduce manual review time by 50–80% and catch anomalies earlier, reducing financial and operational risk.

Q5: Is it reliable for skewed or messy data?

Yes — that’s one of its biggest advantages. Unlike z‑scores or normal‑distribution methods, the IQR rule is non‑parametric and robust to skew.

Q6: How does AI fit into this?

AI can interpret flagged outliers, explain their significance, and recommend next steps — turning detection into action.