- Find an opportunity to work on. Create an AIM statement.
- Organize the effort: leaders and teams. Orient team members to the model for improvement. Include families.
- Select a MEASURE or set of measures that would be the indicators of improvement. Operationally define the measures.
- Collect some baseline data on these measure(s) on a Run Chart, before instituting change(s). When the process is stable (all special causes removed or incorporated), establish control limits in a Control Chart.
- Study the variation in the process. Beyond the run/control charts, utilize improvement tools such as Flowcharting, Cause-and-Effect Diagram, Key Drivers, and other tools which will guide needed changes.
- Select a CHANGE that will likely cause improvement . This change can come from Tool Kits or what makes good sense to the QI team.
- Begin to conduct TESTS OF CHANGE (PDSA CYCLES). Evaluate the impact of the CHANGE by collecting more data and recalculating the Mean and Control Limits.
- Continue watching data, running tests of change.
- Sustainment….Maintaining the gains.