Goals

At the conclusion of this unit, participants will be able to:

• Understand the phases of a PDSA cycle by participating in a sample activity. 

• Develop a change idea to implement. 

• Plan for a test of a change idea by recording the change; the detailed plan; brainstorming learning questions; and making predictions and identify data to collect to test predictions. 

Big Ideas

• The process of improvement involves re-engineering systems, rather than individual efforts or good intentions, to make changes.

• Using Improvement Science as a model, we have engaged in “understanding the problem and the system that produces it”, “focusing collective efforts on an aim” (Unit 2). Now we will focus on identifying a change idea and testing and building evidence for success. 

• A Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle is a practical way of applying scientific thinking in complex social and operational environments.

• During the Plan-Do phases, we will identify what we are trying to accomplish; how will we know that a change is an improvement; and what change can we make that will result in improvement.