A Theory of Practice Improvement: Driver Diagrams
PC1: Improvement Science Basics
Alicia Grunow
Our Road Map for Learning
Seeing the System
Understanding the Problem
Developing a Theory of Practice
Improvement Establishing
an Aim
Effect
Cause Cause
Cause Cause
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Understanding the Problem
Organizing Action
What is a Theory of Practice Improvement?
A working theory of most highly leveraged changes that are needed to achieve the desired outcomes
A Driver Diagram is an improvement tool used to communicate a theory of practice improvement
Typical Approach 1: Incoherent Activity
Foundation “X” Strategic
Priorities
Foundation
“Y” Strategic Priorities
Local Institutional
Considerations
A new priority comes into view
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Improvement Aspirations
Current Performance ? Goal GOAL
Goal
Typical Approach: Not getting down to action
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“A goal without a method is nonsense. By what method?” – Deming
Educa<on reform is “miracle goals without methods.”
Deming 1991
GOAL
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Theory of Practice Improvement
Current Performance
Theory of Practice
Improvement
“Probably wrong and definitely incomplete”
Goal GOAL
Driver Diagram Basics
AIM
Primary Driver
Primary Driver
Primary Driver
Primary Driver
Primary Drivers: 3-‐5 main areas of influence that drive towards the aim
-Outcomes -Gap you are trying to close
Secondary Drivers
Secondary Drivers: The necessary components to move a primary driver
AIM
Primary Driver
Primary Driver
Primary Driver
Primary Driver
Driver Diagram Basics
• Change • Change • Change
Change: Specific ideas to be attempted. Hint: Tend to be processes, cultural norms, structures or roles
Secondary Drivers
AIM
Primary Driver
Primary Driver
Primary Driver
Primary Driver
Driver Diagram Basics
Tips for Crafting Drivers
PRIMARY DRIVERS
! Necessary and sufficient to moving outcome measures
! No more than 3-5 (highest leverage—Pareto Principle)
! Based on evidence
! Similar grain size
! Organize the work in a helpful way
SECONDARY DRIVERS
! Necessary and sufficient to move the primary drivers
! Only use when they are necessary to plan specific changes or interventions
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Small Group Discussion
! STEM for an Aim Statements: Regular opportunities for teachers (and leaders) to share and collaboration order to__________________ (perhaps by when)
! Brainstorm possible primary drivers for this problem?
! If you have time try to articulate some secondary drivers too (say for one primary driver)
! Any change ideas?
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BTEN Driver Diagram
Primary Drivers
Secondary Drivers Changes
School-based professional community
Feedback that supports improvement
Relationship btwn principals
and NTs
Hiring and placement
system
Professional development
for NTs 14
Feedback that supports improvement
Increase new teacher
efficacy and retention
-‐Timeliness of the decisions -‐Right info about candidates -‐Right info on schools -‐Targeted recruitment
Teaching task as part of an interview
Goal
Developing your Driver Diagram
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METHODS: ! 90-day R&D cycle
! Expert Convening
! Get started and iterate as you
improve – Analytics & testing
IDENTIFYING DRIVERS: ! Deep understanding of the
problem ! Research ! Successful organizations/
practitioners that have solved the problem
! Analogical thinking: Places where similar problems have been solved
! Work in the network
Building a Driver Diagram for BTEN
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IdenEfy New Teacher
RetenEon as a problem
Map broad understanding of the system
Chose a parEcular angle
Build out individual drivers
Year before launch
Before invite
participants Before launch
Leadership System analysis -Research
-New Teachers -District & school Leaders
-Unions
Leadership Expert Convening Testing
90-day cycle
Develop specific changes
Revise based on learning
Work in the network
Why (and when) a Driver Diagram?
! Creates a common language ! Focuses improvement efforts on the most
important parts of the system
! Shows how changes are related to the aim & how different projects fit into a larger portfolio of work ! Explicates the theory of practice improvement
so it can be tested
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