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Week 3: Group Assignment #3 – Project Charter Measurement Phase

Purpose of Activity:

This assignment focuses on the “Measure” phase of your Quality Improvement Initiative Charter, where you will develop a data collection plan and identify key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the success of your project. By completing this assignment, you will enhance your ability to plan systematic data collection and establish meaningful metrics aligned with project goals.

Steps to Complete Activity:

1. Meet with your group to reflect on your project’s problem statement and objectives to ensure alignment with the data you plan to collect and the metrics you establish.

2. Develop a Data Collection Plan by specifying:

· Methods of data collection (e.g., surveys, observations, electronic records).

· Tools or resources needed for data collection.

· Frequency of data collection.

· Individuals or teams responsible for collecting and managing the data.

3. Identify Metrics:

· Define 2-4 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that will measure the success of your project.

· Explain how each KPI aligns with your project objectives.

· Provide the rationale for choosing these metrics and describe how they will be used to track progress.

4. Use process mapping technique s to visualize current workflows.

5. Develop a measurement plan outlining:

· Data collection methods

· Tools (e.g., run charts, SPC charts)

· Frequency of data collection

· Short summary report explaining your approach.

Submission Details: Length: 1–3 pages, double spaced

Week 4: Group Assignment#4 – Project Charter Analysis and Improve Phase

Purpose of Activity:

The purpose of this assignment is to apply analytical tools to identify the root causes of a healthcare quality issue, propose data-driven solutions to address these causes, and develop a structured implementation plan for your proposed solutions. This exercise will help you develop critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving skills, and the ability to connect root causes to actionable improvements in real-world healthcare settings. By completing this assignment, you will ensure that the solutions you propose are practical, achievable, and aligned with quality improvement principles.

Steps to Complete Activity:

1. Select and Apply Root Cause Analysis Tools: As a group, choose an analytical tool to identify the root causes of a healthcare quality issue.

· You may use one of the following tools:

· Fishbone Diagram (Ishikawa Diagram)

· Root Cause Analysis (RCA)

· Process Mapping

· Ensure that the tool you select is well-suited for the healthcare quality issue you’re addressing.

· Use the selected tool to identify the key root causes of the problem.

2. Conduct the Root Cause Analysis:

· Document the process of applying the chosen tool to your healthcare issue. Outline the steps taken and describe the outcomes of your analysis.

· Summarize the findings by clearly articulating the root causes of the quality issue. Be sure to highlight the key factors contributing to the issue.

3. Create a  Root Cause Analysis Report:

· Include  visuals such as a Fishbone Diagram, Process Map, or another relevant tool that helps illustrate the root cause analysis.

· Provide a summary  of the findings with a clear explanation of the identified root causes.

· Use data and insights from your analysis to support your findings.

4. Propose Evidence-Based Solutions:

· Use the insights from your root cause analysis to propose data-driven solutions to address the identified issues.

· Ensure that tproposed solutions are specific, actionable, and aligned with established quality improvement principles (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma).

· The proposed solutions should address the root causes directly and focus on improving the quality of care while being feasible in a real-world healthcare setting.

5. Develop an Implementation Strategy:

· Stakeholder Involvement: Identify key stakeholders (e.g., healthcare providers, patients, administration) and describe how they will be involved in the implementation of your proposed solutions.

· Expected Outcomes: Outline the expected outcomes of implementing your solutions, including improvements in patient care, efficiency, or other key metrics.

· Plan of Action: Break down the implementation strategy into  specific,  logical, and  sequential steps. Each step should be designed to drive your solutions from concept to execution.

· Example: Step 1: Develop a training program for staff. Step 2: Pilot the new process in one department.

· Timeline: Create a timeline that outlines the major steps of the implementation process. Include key  milestones and  deadlines for each stage of the plan.

· Responsibilities: Clearly assign  responsibilities for each step of the implementation plan. Indicate who in your group, or which stakeholder, will be responsible for completing each task.

5. Example: Responsible Party: [Team Member A] will lead the staff training. [Team Member B] will oversee the pilot implementation..

Additional Technology:

As part of this assignment, you will need to create a visual (e.g., Fishbone Diagram, Root Cause Analysis chart, or Process Map) to support your findings. Below are two user-friendly tools you can use, along with tutorials to guide you:

1. Canva (Free Online Tool): Canva offers free templates you can customize to create clean, professional diagrams.

· Visit  https://www.canva.comLinks to an external site.

· Sign in or create a free account

· Search for terms like “Fishbone Diagram” or “Process Map”

· Choose a template, customize it, and download your diagram as an image or PDF to insert into your report

2. Microsoft PowerPoint

· PowerPoint allows you to build your own diagram using shapes or SmartArt tools.

· Open PowerPoint and go to  Insert > SmartArt

· Choose  Hierarchy or  Process graphics depending on the diagram type

· You can also use  Insert > Shapes to create custom layouts

· Once complete, right-click to  Save as Picture and insert it into your Word report

Submission Details: Length: 1–3 pages, double spaced

Week 5: Group Assignment#5 – Project Charter Control Phase

Purpose of Activity:

The purpose of this assignment is to develop a sustainability plan and monitoring strategy to ensure that healthcare process improvements are maintained over time and evaluated effectively.

Steps to Complete Activity:

1. Meet with your team to propose strategies and monitoring methods,

· Describe how the implemented improvement plan will be maintained over time.,

2. Discuss potential barriers to sustainability and how they can be addressed.,

· Outline a plan for tracking and evaluating progress regularly.,

· Include specific metrics data collection methods and reporting frequency.,

· Describe how monitoring results will be communicated to stakeholders and used to make adjustments if necessary.,

3. One person from your group must submit the assignment by Sunday at 11:59pm ET.

· Be sure to include the name of your group and add the names of each group member.

Submission Details: Length: 1–3 pages, double spaced

Week 7: Assignment – Submit Final Project – Charter Paper

Purpose of Activity:

This final assignment integrates all prior coursework into a complete Quality Improvement Project Charter. You will synthesize your work, summarize your findings, and provide actionable recommendations. This comprehensive document and presentation serve as a demonstration of your understanding of quality improvement principles and your ability to apply them in a healthcare setting.

Steps to Complete Activity:

1. As a group, assemble all phases of DMAIC (all previous group assignments from weeks 3-7) into a single, cohesive document.

2. Add a conclusion and executive summary:

· Restate the project’s goals, methodologies, findings, and anticipated impact.

· Highlight future actions or considerations to ensure continued success and address any remaining gaps.

3. Include an appendix, if applicable

· Include supporting visuals such as fishbone diagrams, process maps, data tables, or monitoring plans.

· Provide references or citations for any external sources used.

Submission Details:

· Length: 8–10 pages (not including title page or references), double spaced.

· File Format: Upload the document as a  Word file.

Week 8: Assignment#8 Final Project – Charter Presentation

Overview

Congratulations on completing your Quality Improvement Project! This assignment marks the culmination of weeks of effort, collaboration, and application of critical quality improvement principles. Together, you’ve navigated the DMAIC process, explored Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, and developed innovative strategies to address real-world healthcare challenges.

For this final step, you will showcase your work by creating a narrated PowerPoint presentation and sharing it with your peers. Engaging with your classmates’ presentations will provide an opportunity to exchange ideas, offer constructive feedback, and gain new perspectives on quality improvement in healthcare.

Instructions

1. Create a  10- to 15-minute narrated PowerPoint presentation summarizing your Quality Improvement Project Charter. Ensure your presentation includes the following:

· A brief introduction to the project and its significance.

· Key elements from each DMAIC phase (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control).

· Visuals (e.g., process maps, data charts, fishbone diagrams) to support your discussion.

· A concise conclusion summarizing goals, findings, and next steps.

2. Post Your Presentation:

· Upload your narrated PowerPoint as a video or share a link to the file in the discussion board thread.

· Include a brief text summary (3–4 sentences) in your post to provide context for your presentation.

3. Engage with Your Peers:

· Watch each groups’ narrated PowerPoint presentation and provide thoughtful and constructive feedback. When providing feedback, address the following points:

· Were the proposed solutions practical and actionable?

· Did the presentation offer any innovative approaches or unique insights?

· What did you find most compelling or effective about the presentation?

· Are there any areas for improvement or additional considerations?

Submission Details

· One person from your group must post your group’s narrated PowerPoint by Saturday at 11:59pm ET.

· Each student must watch each group’s presentation and provide feedback. Each response must be a  minimum of 200 words. Responses to your peers are due by Sunday at