HEALTHCARE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

Note: This document should be used as a template for your healthcare improvement project (HIP) academic paper. This paper should adhere to the formatting and style standards of the current edition of the American Psychological Association (APA) style manual. Refer to the performance assessment tasks and rubrics for specific instructions on submitting each section of your HIP paper.  
D156: Business Case Analysis for Healthcare Improvement
Task 1: Healthcare Improvement Project – Introduction and Project Initiation
Stakeholder Identification
Needs Assessment
Problem Identification
Problem Description
Impact Analysis
SWOT Analysis

Task 2: Healthcare Improvement Project – Project Purpose and Review of Scholarly Sources
Purpose Statement
Review of Relevant Scholarly Sources and Table of Scholarly Sources Template
SMART+C Goal Worksheet (Appendix D)
Project Management Life Cycle
 
D157: Managing Resources in an Era of Disruption
Human Resource Management
Staffing
Costs
Project Team Member Engagement
Recruitment Strategies
Support for Team Members
RACI Chart
Financial Resource Management
Budget Methods and Requirements
Pro Forma Operating Budget
Budget Variances
Project Charter
 
D158: Strategically Planning the Execution of a HIP
Meetings and Organizational Policies
Action Plan Development
SDOH and Target Population
Force Field Analysis
Gantt Chart Information
Scope Statement
Communication Management Plan

 
D159: Evidenced Based Measures for Evaluating Healthcare Improvement
Team Member Collaboration
Data Elements
Data Source
KPI and Benchmarks
Data Collection Method and Parameters
Data Analysis
Results Dissemination Plan
Project Closure Plan
 
D160: Nursing Leadership and Management Field Experience
Kick Off Process
Communication Plan Implementation
Training Plan
Training Plan Implementation
Testing of Workflow
Implementation and Control Field Experience
Project Journal
HIP Management
HIP Monitoring
Project Status Meetings
Project Status Alignment

 
D161: Nursing Leadership and Management Capstone
Evaluation
Final Status Report
Project Closure and Celebration
Wrap Up Session
Conclusion
 
References

 
Appendix A

Impact Analysis Template (D156)

Benefits: Identify two categories and two benefits for each category that will be positively impacted by implementing your improvement project. Use a norms-based scale, as a method of quantifying the impact that the benefits will have. Give a “1” rating for Low Impact, a “2” rating for Moderate Impact, and a “3” rating for High Impact. Total these benefit ratings and enter the sum in the “Total Benefits Score” cell.

Category Improvement Project Benefits Rating
1
2
3
4
Total Benefits Score

Risks: Using the same categories identified above in the “Benefits” section, identify two risks for each of the two categories that may be negatively impacted by implementing your improvement project. As you did in the “Benefits” section, rate the risks using the norms-based scale of “1” meaning Low Impact, “2” meaning Moderate Impact, and “3” meaning High Impact. Total these ratings and enter the sum in the “Total Risks Score” cell.

Category Improvement Project Risks Rating
(copy from above) 1
2
(copy from above) 3
4
Total Risks Score

Calculate the impact ratio by dividing the benefits total score by the risks total score, then enter that ratio into the table below. Use the criteria in the table below to determine if the benefits outweigh the risks.

Impact Ratio = ______ [Benefits Rating total score divided by Risks Rating total score]

If the ratio is > 1, the benefits outweigh the risks.
If the ratio = 1, there is no difference between the benefits and the risks.
If the ratio is < 1, the risks outweigh the benefits. Appendix B SWOT Analysis Template (D156) A SWOT analysis will help you identify internal and external factors in an organization that may impact the readiness of the organization for an improvement project. At a minimum, identify two internal criteria and two external criteria. Then for the internal criteria, identify two Strengths and two Weaknesses for each of the criteria. For the external criteria, identify two Opportunities and two Threats for each of the criteria. The presence of weaknesses and threats are gaps to be addressed in planning, while the absence of strengths or opportunities clarifies the need for further planning or development before implementation. Click in the following boxes to enter your SWOT factors. Factors to maintain Factors to address *Internal Criteria Strengths Weaknesses I. II. What does the organization do well that will help the implementation of the project? I – A I – B II – A II - B What does the organization lack that may hinder implementation of the project? I – A I – B II – A II - B *External Criteria Opportunities Threats I. II. What external factors help facilitate implementation of your project? I – A I – B II – A II - B What external factors hinder implementation of your project? I – A I – B II – A II - B *Internal Criteria Examples: collective capabilities; morale, commitment, leadership; governance, participation norms, and defined roles; resources, funding, assets, people; experience, knowledge, data; innovative aspects; collaboration tools; processes, systems, IT, and communications; cultural, attitudinal, behavioral norms; etc. *External Criteria Examples: Political, legislative, and financial environment; stakeholder involvement; technology development and innovation; development of knowledge; uptake in disseminated knowledge or best practices; etc. Appendix C Table of Relevant Scholarly Sources Template (D156) In-text citation Scholarly Source Title Type of Scholarly Source Relevance In-text citation to include publication year in parentheses. Title of the journal article, book, or webpage. Peer-reviewed journal article, book, electronic source, etc. Explain how the source is similar and relevant to your proposed project.   Appendix D SMART+C Goal Worksheet (D156) This worksheet is designed to help you create a SMART+C (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound, and challenge) goal for your healthcare improvement project (HIP). Answer the following SMART+C criteria questions about your project. Next, synthesize your answers into a SMART+C goal for your project and enter it into the project goal box. Finally, state what the expected outcome will be for your goal. SMART+C Criteria Questions SMART+C Criteria Answers Specific: What is the specific project? Measurable: What are the indicators or parameters that will be measured? Achievable: How feasible or realistic is the project supported by your Impact Analysis and SWOT Analysis? Relevant: How worthwhile is the project to the organization? Time-Bound: What are the start and end dates of the project? Challenge: What is the challenge or stretch goal for your HIP? SMART+C Project Goal: Outcome Statement: (What will be the larger outcome for your organization once the HIP has been implemented?) Appendix E RACI Chart (D157) HIP Roles & Responsibilities Matrix ROLES Role Title Role Title Role Title Role Title Role Title Deliverable/Task #1 Deliverable/Task #2 Deliverable/Task #3 Deliverable/Task #4 Deliverable/Task #5 Deliverable/Task #6 Deliverable/Task #7 Deliverable/Task #8 Deliverable/Task #9 Deliverable/Task #10 In the empty boxes above, enter the appropriate letter for the role that will be Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, or Informed (based on the following definitions) for each deliverable/task. R = Responsible for completion of task or deliverable A = Accountable for completion and approval of the task C = Consulted by those responsible for advice and expertise I = Kept updated on progress and notified when tasks are completed Appendix F Pro Forma Operating Budget (D157) Budget Item Budget Amount Description Comments   Appendix G Healthcare Improvement Project Charter (D157) Background [Why is the project being undertaken? Justify the need for this project and describe the issue or opportunity that the project is to address. Include summary details of the project.] Project Goal and Outcome Statement [Insert your SMART+C goal and project outcome statement] Project Milestones [Identify the significant project milestones: start date, end date.] Project Budget [Describe the main project expenses and total anticipated expenses. If there is funding for the project, identify the source.] Significant Risks Risks [What are the most significant risks? What must happen before the project is delivered?] Appendix H Action Plan Template (D158) Action Item Owner Role or Title Five Action Items (specific, high-level) Phase When Action Item Will Be Completed (e.g., pre-, during, or post-implementation) Target Due Date 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.   Appendix I Healthcare Improvement Project Force Field Analysis Template (D158) FORCE FIELD ANALYSIS A force field analysis will help you identify the driving and restraining forces for the implementation of your healthcare improvement project (HIP). In the following table, list three positive forces that may drive the implementation of your project and three negative forces that may restrain it. 3 Positive (Driving) Forces 3 Negative (Restraining) Forces 1. 1. 2. 2. 3. 3.   REPORT DATE PROJECT NAME PREPARED BY Date Project Name PROJECT DESCRIPTION PROJECT MILESTONES MILESTONES MAJOR TASKS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS Initiation Phase Planning Phase Implementation & Control Phase Evaluation & Closure Phase BUDGET OVERVIEW TOTAL BUDGET TOTAL SPENT DIFFERENCE (IF ANY) REASON FOR RESULTS PROJECT OUTCOME PROJECT KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS KPIs SUMMARY OF PROJECT PERFORMANCE IN MEETING KPIs PROJECT OUTCOME