Quality, service improvement and redesign (QSIR) tools by stage of project

The six stage project management approach provides a framework. Regardless of the project management approach you use, eg the six stage approach or PRINCE2, it can be enhanced with the use of the improvement tools, theories and techniques the stages below signpost to.

Stage 1: Start out – what is the opportunity or problem?

Your desired output at this stage is for clear scope of the problem you wish to solve and support for the improvement activity.

Stage 2: Define and scope – what is the current situation?

Your desired output at this stage is that the current situation is understood and shared in a format appropriate to the size of the project  (eg project charter or full project initiation document, PID).

Stage 3: Measure and understand – what are the benefits and impacts?

Your desired output at this stage is for your measures to be identified to determine whether the change that you make is an improvement.

Stage 4: Design and plan – what does the future look like?

Your desired output at this stage is for clear and shared understanding of the future and an agreed action plan.

Stage 5: Implement – action planning and reporting

Your desired output at this stage is a fully implemented improvement plan.

Stage 6: Handover and sustain – deployment and ‘business as usual’

Your desired output at this stage is that the improvement has become ‘business as usual’ with benefits realised, learning shared and a plan for sustainability in place.