October 4, 2016
Almost all quality improvement comes via simplification of design and processes.
Recently, I was reminded of the simple elegance of NIATx model.
A friend came to me and asked what I would do if faced with the following problem:
His organization struggled to make timely improvements to their operations. When a change was finally implemented, it often reverted back to the old process after a few months.
Having guided change teams for years in organizations both large and small, I was all too familiar with the challenge he presented.
Continuous
improvement is better than delayed perfection
Improvement efforts that seem to drag on forever with
minimal results are often towing what I call the anchor of perfection.
You’re better off to plan a small pilot test, test it, study the results, and decide to adapt, adopt, or abandon the change. Then, do another test until you reach your improvement goal. This is the Plan-Do-Study-Act or PDSA cycle, the core of the NIATx model.
A wise quality improvement mentor of mine likes to say: "Continuous improvement is better than
delayed perfection." Rapid-cycle testing is the way to avoid overplanning
and learn what really works and does not work in the process.
Top three reasons change projects fizzle out
The issue of not sustaining a change, once it's been implemented, is another all-too-common problem. In my
experience, I have found one or more of the following three things as the culprit for derailing a successful change:
1. The customer
was not consulted or sufficiently considered when designing the change.
2. Front-line staff
who carry out the process were not part of the change team, had no input, and
did not buy in to the change.
3. No sustain leader
was assigned to monitor the process and bring the change team back together if
things started to backslide.
All of these issues are covered and accounted for in the
NIATx Model.
I shared the NIATx Model Quick Reference below with my friend.
I shared the NIATx Model Quick Reference below with my friend.
How to Steps for the NIATx Change
Model
Planning Phase
1.
Identify one important process to improve
and a problem to focus on. Define your aim and measure (data).
2.
Conduct a walk-thru or talk-thru of the process.
What’s working and not working?
3.
Assemble a Change Team (5-7 people). Include staff who work in the
process.
Improvement Phase
4.
Review your
project aim and walk-through experience with Change Team; discuss strengths & improvement
opportunities in the process.
6. Identify
Solutions:
Conduct
a Nominal Group
Technique exercise to brainstorm solutions and vote on which change to
test first (other ideas go to the “parking lot” for future PDSA cycles).
7.
Assign roles/tasks among the Change Team
and document your Change Project.
8.
Do PDSA rapid-cycle
tests until you achieve your aim. Rely on data
in deciding to adopt, adapt, or abandon a change.
9.
Develop a sustainability plan
for your change project to sustain the gains.
Sustain Phase
10.
Celebrate with your team! Change project is completed.
“The NIATx Model is a clear, simple approach to process improvement that all our staff can use. Whenever we need to improve something, we don’t waste time wondering where to start. The NIATx Model walks us through the steps.”
His experience with the NIATx Model had me believing Peter Drucker was right. Simplification really is the path toward quality improvement.
Have you used the NIATx model to make changes in your organization?
Share your story in the comments section below!
Visit www.niatx.net for detailed descriptions of the steps and tools along with many other resources to help you complete a change project and sustain your improvements.
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