QUALITY IMPROVEMENT METHODOLOGIES Determining the Best Approach for Incorporating QI into Your Agency’s Practice

February 2020

What’s in a Method? , Lean, Six , and Lean methods are often used by departments to make measurable improvements in their business processes. Some health departments simply use a Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle. All of these methods are interrelated and understanding the similarities can help distinguish the differences. As a starting point, it’s helpful to think of PDSA as a summary of the steps involved in the other four methods. Kaizen, Lean, Six Sigma, and were created initially for the industry, and PDSA is a more generic framework that captures the progression of thoroughly examining a current process and its problems, followed by developing solutions, then testing the solutions and measuring the results, and ending by institutionalizing a new process. The steps in the other four methods conceptually are quite similar and many differences largely are a matter of semantics. Furthermore, all four methods focus on improving processes and require participation from all employees involved in the process in order to achieve maximum effectiveness. They rely on data to understand the problem and whether changes result in improvement. Moreover, the methods essentially all use the same tools and often combine approaches. Finally, all are grounded in a philosophy of continual improvement; therefore, QI is not merely a series of discrete improvement efforts but rather is part of an organization’s culture. However, there are some useful distinctions to understand, related to philosophy and specific objectives. The chart below is intended to highlight these differences and help you determine the best approach for incorporating improvement into your agency’s practice.

This document was developed with feedback from PHAB’s and Quality Improvement Committee, and in consultation with Grace Gorenflo. QUALITY IMPROVEMENT METHODOLOGIES: UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCES

PDCA/PDSA Kaizen Lean Six Sigma Lean Six Sigma Defined A cycle for identifying and Philosophy of gradual, A method to maximize A method to greatly reduce An approach to testing a change. Plan-Do- incremental and orderly value while the probability that an eliminating waste and Check-Act (PDCA) and continuous improvement, eliminating waste. error or defect will occur. variation; combines both Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) always working to create Lean and Six Sigma are the same thing and more value and less waste. Follows the A3 process Follows the DMAIC process tactics. reflect different Kaizen “events” or that essentially is a version (described below) translations from the “blitzes” are intensive of PDCA. (The specific original Japanese concept. sessions involving all steps are outlined below in employees working on a the PDCA section.) process to identify and make multiple rapid improvements. This column describes a Kaizen event. Objective Test a change on a small Make small, incremental Develop a set of Reduce variability in the Increase quality and scale before adopting it as changes that add up to standardized practices that outputs or products of a reduce de-defects/varia- a standard practice. significant changes over maximize process speed process. tion while increasing the longer term. (least amount of time) and process speed and decrease waste (no efficiency unnecessary steps). Situations PDSA is a part of Kaizen, Any process in which • When a process is too slow When a process has Combination of situations in which Lean and Six Sigma changes can be tested in a to meet customer needs. established “normal limits” in which it would be the methods. All of them very limited time period. • When a process is felt to for its measurable helpful to apply both approach entail steps to: examine be overly cumbersome due outcomes and yet the Lean and Six Sigma tools is most the problem and its root to excess motion, people, outcomes vary more than and methods. helpful causes and identify supplies, or time delays. what is considered to be potential solutions (plan); within the normal limits. test the solutions (do); The goal is to reduce the analyze the results of the variation so all outcomes test (study); and are within normal limits. implement the new process (act). On its own, PDSA is a useful framework for process improvement when it is not clear whether one of the other approaches is indicated.

Quality Improvement Methodologies: Understanding the Differences 2

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT METHODOLOGIES: UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCES

PDCA/PDSA Kaizen Lean Six Sigma Lean Six Sigma - Define the problem - Define the problem - Identify the problem and - Define: Articulate the - Gather baseline data - Gather baseline data convene the team problem and convene the - Convene the team - Convene the team - Develop a “current state” team, customer, voice of - Create aim statement - Review current process map that the customer and critical - Develop flow chart situation/process identifies problem areas process outputs - Conduct root analysis - Identify root causes/key (and gather baseline data - Measure: Establish - Identify and mistake- issues if needed) baseline process proof solutions. - Create high impact - Conduct a root cause performance measures - Carefully consider the solutions analysis - Analyze: Identify root proposed solutions, - Identify causes, develop identify problems that countermeasures hypotheses as to why could occur, and revise - Develop an “ideal state” problems exist and prove the solutions as needed. process map or disprove the - Develop a workplan to - Develop a plan for hypotheses test the changes implementation - Develop a follow-up plan with predicted outcomes - Communicate with everyone affected by the

process

Plan - Test/Implement the - Test solutions - Implement the plan - Improve: Develop and changes and collect data pilot test solutions then collect data to measure improvements. Do

- Analyze the results - Evaluate results according to the follow- up plan Study - Do more planning and - Obtain sponsor approval - Control: Create a testing or, once desired to install solutions Monitoring Plan to results have been - Install solutions continue measuring the obtained, institutionalize performance of the the new process and process and develop a monitor indicators to Response Plan in case Act Major Steps “hold the gains” performance lags.

Quality Improvement Methodologies: Understanding the Differences 3

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT METHODOLOGIES: UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCES

PDCA/PDSA Kaizen Lean Six Sigma Lean Six Sigma Key tools - Flowchart/Process - Value Stream Mapping - Value Stream Mapping - - Map - Gemba Walk - - Value Stream Mapping/ - Data Tools (e.g., run - - Root Cause Analysis Process map chart, ) Tools Tools - SIPOC diagram - Root Cause Analysis - Pareto chart - Load Balancing - Root Cause Analysis Tools Tools (e.g., fishbone - - diagram, - 8 Wastes - Control charts interrelationship - Kanban diagraph, force field analysis)

Notes on Value Stream Mapping Value Stream Mapping Value Stream Value captures detailed readily identifies wasteful Mapping/Process Maps Stream measurements of many steps in a process identify problems that Mapping small improvements that, can lead to variation when combined, can add in process outputs up to significant improvements.

Quality Improvement Methodologies: Understanding the Differences 4

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT METHODOLOGIES: UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCES

References

Gershon, M. “Which Process Improvement Methodology to Implement. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Choosing-Which-Process-Improvement- Methodology-to-Temple/2360292ae7eeea30d02aba080bf241e76d9e97a4 Accessed 10.18.19

Nayab, N. A Comparison of Various Quality Improvement Methodologies. https://www.brighthubpm.com/methods-strategies/121894-a-review-of-the- relationship-among-various-quality-improvement-tools/

Scoville R, Little K. Comparing Lean and Quality Improvement. IHI White Paper. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Institute for Healthcare Improvement; 2014. (Available at ihi.org)

Taylor, C. Comparing Improvement Methods. https://service.asu.edu/blog/comparing-improvement-methods Accessed 10.30.19

Valencia, S. Process Improvement: Which Methodology is Best for Your Project? https://slideplayer.com/slide/4633961/ Accessed 10.30.19

PDSA Example

Kuber, K. Public Health Quality Improvement Exchange. Forest County Potawatomi Car Seat Program. Wed, 10/09/2013 - 13:39. Available at http://www.phqix.org/content/forest-county-potawatomi-car-seat-safety-program. Accessed October 30, 2019.

Kaizen Example

Lenartz, S. Public Health Quality Improvement Exchange. Public Health Laboratory: Influenza Process Improvement Kaizen. Mon, 10/23/2017 - 15:26. Available at http://www.phqix.org/content/public-health-laboratory-influenza-process-improvement-kaizen. Accessed October 30, 2019.

Lean Six Sigma Example

Shultz, R. Public Health Quality Improvement Exchange. Enforcing Public Health Law: Improving the Administrative Hearing Process to Reduce Staff Time. Wed, 05/28/2014 - 21:57. Available at http://www.phqix.org/content/enforcing-public-health-law-improving-administrative-hearing-process-reduce-staff-time. Accessed October 30, 2019.

Quality Improvement Methodologies: Understanding the Differences 5