Resources & Tools

Quality Improvement tools and techniques have been used extensively for solving problems in organizations. The authors of the ASQ Newsletter article Quality Improvement is Not Just for Problems: Success and Effect Diagram propose using those same methods to analyze successful processes. Understanding...

Modular kaizen: Dealing with Disruptions

March 15, 2011

Modular kaizen: Dealing with Disruptions aims to help health departments achieve quick improvements in disruptive environments. Modular kaizen is the creation of an improvement or redesign project planned along a timeline that recognizes the highly volatile nature of the public health organization’s...

Using QI Skills in Daily Work

January 12, 2011

"Using QI Skills in Daily Work" was co-authored by PHF quality improvement consultants John W. Moran and Grace L. Duffy with Beth Pierson, Epidemiologist for Planning and Assessment at the Franklin County Board of Health in Ohio. The article was published in the Quality Management Forum, a Peer-Reviewed...

Starting and Sustaining a Complete Quality System

October 8, 2010

John W. Moran and Grace Duffy wrote an article entitled “Starting and Sustaining a Complete Quality System” that was featured in the August 2010 Quality Texas Foundation Update. The article describes a complete quality system and focuses on the processes that need to be in place to maintain consistency...

Ready, AIM, Problem Solve

September 14, 2010

Narrowing a problem statement to a discrete issue promotes a focus for effectively applying QI tools. A lack of focus on real issues can cause a loss of valuable problem-solving time. The October 2009 edition of the Quality Texas Foundation Update includes an article on this quality improvement process....

TAPP into the PDCA Cycle

September 14, 2010

Written by PHF’s Senior Quality Advisor, John W. Moran, and quality improvement experts Grace Duffy and William Riley, this article in ASQ’s May 2009 Healthcare Update describes how to improve the management of public health processes through setting performance targets, measuring key quality characteristics,...

SIPOC+CM Diagram Offers High-Level View of "As Is" State of a Process Under Investigation

September 13, 2010

The SIPOC+CM Diagram, originally published in The Public Health Quality Improvement Handbook, has been featured on the American Society for Quality website. SIPOC+CM is a data collection form that assists in gathering information about Suppliers, Inputs, Processes, Outputs, and Customers of a process....

Review, Refresh, and Revitalize: Your Pandemic Flu Plan for Fall 2009

September 13, 2010

Quality improvement practices promote efficiency and effectiveness in strategically planning for and implementing programs that address public health problems. This white paper, written in July 2009 by Ron Bialek, John W. Moran, Kim McCoy, William Riley, and Lillian Shirley, provides crucial information...

Rapid Cycle PDCA

September 13, 2010

This white paper, written by Grace L. Duffy, John W. Moran, and William Riley, was published on pages 2-4 of the August 2009 edition of the Quality Texas Foundation Update. In it, the authors define and describe Rapid Cycle PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) as the act of applying the recurring sequence of PDCA...

Modified Approach Promotes Lean Processes and Identifies Lean Wastes

September 13, 2010

“Modified Approach” presents the goal of a lean culture: “to build a better, faster, more efficient and streamlined process.” The article, written by quality improvement consultants Grace Duffy and John W. Moran and published in the August 2010 edition of Six Sigma Forum Magazine, shows work flow processes...

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