by David M. Williams, Ph.D. This is part of a series of blog posts on measurement for improvement. You can read them all here. A core component of improvement work is understanding and learning from data. This can be new to many, and for some a little intimidating. One common assumption is that all data […]
When can I change my centerline and limits?
in Measurementby David M. Williams, Ph.D. This is part of a series of blog posts on measurement for improvement. You can read them all here. When you create a run chart or a Shewhart chart with baseline data, you can “freeze” the centerline and extend it into the future. Shewhart charts that have equal subgroup size […]
Signals and Special Cause: What are the rules?
in Measurementby David M. Williams, Ph.D. This is part of a series of blog posts on measurement for improvement. You can read them all here. A core pillar of the science of improvement is understanding variation. We use data to learn about a system or process and to know whether our changes are resulting in improvement. […]
How many data points do I need?
in Improvement Science, Measurement, Tools & Methods, Variationby David M. Williams, Ph.D. This is part of a series of blog posts on measurement for improvement. You can read them all here. One of the most common questions for a new improver is: How many data points do I need to start a chart? The answer is just 1. Starting with the first […]
No judgment. Measurement for improvement.
in Measurementby David M. Williams, Ph.D. This is part of a series of blog posts on measurement for improvement. You can read them all here. The primary purpose of measurement for accountability is confirmation if a measure meets or does not meet the established target. These measures are common in social systems. Examples include: Targets to […]
Please STOP the Red, Yellow, Green
in Measurementby David M. Williams, Ph.D. This is part of a series of blog posts on measurement for improvement. You can read them all here. There is an epidemic spreading globally affecting leaders and their use and display of data. In a recent article in the ACHE HealthCare Executive publication, fellow improvement advisor Brandon Bennett and […]
QOS: Activity 2 – Organization Viewed as a System
in Measurement, Quality as an Organizational Strategy (QOS), Systemsby David M. Williams, Ph.D. In a recent blog post (here), I shared how Associates in Process Improvement transformed Dr. Deming’s theory of Organizations Viewed as a Production System into a five-part approach known as Quality as an Organizational Strategy. In this series, we’ll take a deeper look at each of the five activities including […]
Coin Spin PDSA Exercise
in Building Capability, Knowledge, Measurement, PDSA, Variation, VideosBy David M. Williams, PhD Several years ago, I was facilitating an improvement learning session and planned to use an exercise to help the participants learn how to do proper PDSAs and track data over time in a run chart. Normally, I would use my Mr. Potato Head PDSA exercise, but I didn’t want to carry […]
New Paper – Adverse Event Trigger Tool for EMS
in Measurement, ResearchOver the last several years, through my work at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and as a subject matter expert in paramedic delivery systems, I’ve had the pleasure to work with the great team at Hamad Medical Corporation’s national ambulance service. HMC Ambulance leaders aspired to develop an ambulance trigger tool modeled after the IHI […]
Candy Exercise to Learn About Variation
in Building Capability, Variation, VideosBy David M. Williams, PhD Looking for easy ways to help your team understand variation and the difference between common cause and special cause. One exercise I enjoy using is counting candy. All you need is ten or more “fun size” packets of regular M&Ms and one to two “fun size” peanut M&Ms. Run charts can […]