When you're conducting a change project, it's easy to get swept up in the excitement of developing and testing different changes. It's crucial to remember that what you are ultimately seeking is a new process that will not only be a change from the old way of doing things, but an improvement on it.
Through data collection and analysis you can determine whether the change you are testing is actually an improvement, or if it's just a different way to get the same unsatisfactory outcome.
Collecting data may sound like a complex process, but we've developed some resources to help. The How to Collect Data page on the NIATx website is a great resource that includes a step-by-step guide to data collection. And the NIATx Tracking and Measuring Tools provide a set of data collection forms and spreadsheets that help you track, evaluate, and graph your data.
Collection data for a change project does not have to be complex. Often times, a simple pencil and paper works. For example, you want to reduce paperwork so for the next 10 clients write down when you hand them the paperwork and when the return it. Make your changes and repeat the data collection process again. It should tell you if your process resulted in a change. You can then use internal data sources for more long term tracking of the impact of your PDSA change efforts.
ReplyDeleteAnd do not forget to be like Columbo and ask questions about what the data is telling you. Do not accept it at face value. If something looks fishy and smells fishy, it most likely is fishy.