Stage 1 and 2: Identification of a quality issue

The first two stages of your CQI project focus on identifying a quality issue and gaining a clear understanding of the current situation.

Complete the steps below to support this initial phase of your project.

Ensuring alignment with WSFT strategy

When identifying your quality issue, it's important to consider how it aligns with the Trust's ambitions and Green Plan. Focusing your project on organisational priorities strengthens impact and supports organisational goals.

Understanding the current situation or problem

It's important to understand the problem clearly before proposing solutions.

When setting out a QI project you should include key stakeholders, these are individuals that have interest in the project, may be involved in or impacted by the project.

Stakeholder management

Use this template to identify your stakeholders and the level of engagement required. It can be helpful to revisit stakeholder matrix at regular intervals throughout the project, as stakeholder needs may change over time.

The elevator pitch

This technique can be used to support getting key individuals on board with the project.

Practice your elevator pitch - watch the video.

The root cause

When beginning your improvement project, it's important to make sure you are tackling the root cause of the issue, rather than just addressing its symptoms, A range of tools can help you explore this. You should use at least one of the tools listed below - but you may find it helpful to use several.

• Fishbone diagram: Use a fishbone to map all the possible causes that may be contributing to the effect you are seeing. This is best done with the team, and can help the group to identify where to focus efforts for biggest impact.

Please email qi@wsh.nhs.uk for a fishbone diagram template.

• Process map: Helps you visualise and understand the current process. It enables you to identify duplication, delays, waste, or bottlenecks to name a few. You can download the online mapping tool, or the paper version.

• 5 whys: This is another form of root cause analysis, asking why until you come to the root cause of the problem.

• Pareto chart: A visual tool that helps you identify which factors are contributing most to a problem. It is especially useful when you have themed or categorised frequency data. By highlighting the few causes that account for the majority of the issue (vital 20% causing 80% of the problem) it helps you pinpoint where to focus your efforts for greatest impact.

Recognising resource use and social impact

Use this checklist to identify opportunities to reduce resource use, such as medical supplies and travel, and to improve social impact, for example by increasing staff satisfaction or reducing time away from school for patients.