Applying project management tools in quality improvement projects to facilitate success

Through the National Public Health Improvement Initiative funding, there is growing momentum for implementing practices that improve public health services in state, tribal, local, and territorial health departments. Many health departments have employed quality improvement (QI) methods such as, Rapid Cycle Improvement projects and Plan-Do-Check-Act. However, health departments often face unique challenges that many industries upon which PDCA are based did not find when improving service delivery and process performance. Organizations that are faced with staffing shortages and competing priorities may have additional barriers which undermine the success of a QI project. This presentation will focus on the overlap of quality improvement tools and project management techniques needed to ensure a successful project. Specific examples will be provided to demonstrate how both QI tools and project management methods can be applied for the same purpose and used in different stages of the process to take full advantage of their benefits. The presentation will conclude with a discussion on tips for incorporating project management techniques into existing QI efforts in order to maximize the outcome of a project.