The Improvement Lab Process
To develop and implement solutions to common problems, organizations must take these key steps:
01
Clarify.
Most organizations fail to spend enough time clearly defining their problem statement. A problem statement cannot be so large that it's impossible to solve, nor so narrow that fixing it doesn't generate meaningful change.
02
Illuminate.
What are the possible factors contributing to the problem? Bring all data, both qualitative and quantitative, to bear. Talk to front-line staff and clients. Gather performance data.
03
Design.
Research best and promising practices other organizations are using. Identify what might work well in your context and community. Generate several ideas and evaluate the feasibility and likely impact of each.
04
Test.
Pilot the solution with a small population for a specific amount of time. Create a defined pilot design and implementation plan and stick to it. Be clear on what data you need to collect and how you will collect it to know if the pilot is successful.
05
Evaluate.
Implement a regular data review schedule. When the pilot ends, have an honest conversation about what was learned and whether the organization is ready to move to scale.
Barczak Consulting helped our team move from concept to implementation. New messaging and outreach materials, new staff configuration, a comprehensive integration of our governance structure, and most importantly, new opportunities for families all resulted from our work together.
Community Caring Collaborative
Machias, Maine