Key improvement steps

Seven steps to consider in your improvement journey, with interactive templates to support implementation.

Use these templates in conjunction with the resources in the tips and guidance section.

Step one - Understanding the problem and getting ready to start your project.

Checklist

Understanding the problem

Understanding problems when in the scoping phase of a project.

Template

Reflecting on biases

Information and worksheet on reflecting on biases.

Video

Starting with the 'why?'

A presentation by Sid Beech and Sonia Nosheen on starting with the 'why?' before the 'what?' when it comes to your improvement work.

27 November 2024

Step two - Creating an aim and shared purpose with your team.

Template

Project charter

A template to help define your project, with space to outline your problem statement, outcomes, scope, measurements, quality impact, your team and key milestones.

Template

Developing your project aim

An overview of developing a SMART aim and template to help develop your project aim.

Video

Setting a SMART aim

A presentation by Sid Beech on how to use SMART aims as a basis for your improvement work.

27 November 2024

Step three - Identifying key stakeholders and understanding relationships.

Template

Stakeholder mapping

The key principles of stakeholder mapping with a template to map your stakeholders.

Video

Stakeholder mapping

A short presentation by Sonia Nosheen of the NHS Confederation on how to use stakeholder mapping as part of your improvement process.

27 November 2024
Video

Engaging with patients

A presentation by William Pett of Heathwatch England on involving patients in your improvement work.

27 November 2024

Step four - Data and measurement for improvement.

Template

Measurement

An overview of the types of measurements you can use to assess a project, with a measurement template.

Video

Collecting data

Sid Beech shares best practice around collecting data to inform your improvement work.

27 November 2024
Video

Making data count

Samantha Riley, director of Making Data Count at NHS England, discusses using data effectively to drive improvement work.

27 November 2024

Step five - Driver diagrams and change ideas.

Template

Driver diagram

A space to record your aim statement, primary and secondary drivers, and change ideas.

Video

Driver diagrams

Sonia Nosheen on using driver diagrams to identify opportunities for change that can move forward your improvement objectives.

27 November 2024

Step six - Testing and improving change ideas.

Template

Plan-Do-Study-Act

A Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) information sheet and template to help gather and test change ideas.

Template

Priority matrix

Prioritising and choosing which ideas to test out.

Video

The model for improvement

Sonia Nosheen summarises the structured approach to designing improvement projects that we have outlined so far in our series.

27 November 2024

Step seven - Ensuring sustainability.

Template

Sustainability factors

Sustainability factors and actions based on the NHS Sustainability model.

Video

Ensuring sustainability

Sid Beech on the NHS sustainability model and how to ensure that improvement solutions can be embedded and sustained long term.

27 November 2024