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Q2

Intro to QI: Project Charter

Project Scope

What is a Project Scope?

Scope is the boundary of what will be accomplished in the project. The scope typically starts very narrowly. For example, the scope might be limited to one ward, or perhaps even one shift on one ward.

The scope should be defined by having a group discussion to reach agreement on the scope before the project commences.

How Can it Help?

Scope creep, or the incremental expansion of the project scope, is common with every project and articulating what is / is not in scope establishes boundaries and reduces potential scope creep.

How to Define Project Scope

Use the "Is / Is Not" Matrix to help define project scope.

Step 1: Define WHAT Is / Is Not

  1. Define WHAT Is / Is NotWHAT Is included in the project?
    • Review the high level process steps (see Process Map) that need to be included in the project to achieve the project aim
  2. WHAT Is Not included in the project?
    • List steps or areas within the process (if any) to be excluded
    • Also indicate if certain patient populations are not included in the project

 

 

 

Step 2: Define WHERE Is / Is Not

  1. Define WHERE Is / Is NotWHERE Is included in the project?
    • Identify either a physical location such as the Emergency Department or part of a service such as General Surgery Breast Cancer Service
  2. WHERE Is Not included in the project?
    • Identify either a physical location or part of a service. For example, Plastics might be excluded

 

 

 

Step 3: Define WHEN Is / Is Not

  1. Define WHEN Is / Is NotWHEN Is included in the project?
    • Identify any time constraints for the project, e.g. in Emergency Department between the hours of 7am – 7pm, or
    • Identify a part of the project process e.g. from patient triage to patient discharge from Emergency department
  2. WHEN Is Not included in the project?
    • Likely contains the opposite of the above, but should be stated, e.g. Is not: patients admitted to a ward any time outside of 7am-7pm
    • Identify either a physical location or part of a service, e.g. Plastics might be excluded

 

 

Step 4: Define WHO Is / Is Not

  1. Define WHO Is / Is NotWHO Is included in the project?
    • Identify the people who are involved in the project. Looking at the process steps (see Process Map) will help identify who is involved, e.g. SMOs, Registrars and House Offices from General Surgery Department, Chief Medical Officer, Director of Hospital Services
  1. WHO Is Not included in the project?
    • It is beneficial to make this section specific to avoid any scope creep
    • Identify roles that are not included above or individually name the roles e.g. Orderlies

 

 

Step 5: Comments

Use this section to provide any required clarification or to capture comments that arise during discussions

Is / Is Not Matrix

The "Is / Is Not" Matrix is a tool that can help clarify the project scope. It assists the team's thinking process by identifying What, Where, When and Who of a project.

 

IS

IS NOT

Comments

WHAT

Name of the process/ project

Name which areas if any are excluded

 

WHERE

What area / service
e.g. General Surgery Elective patients only

eg any other area outside of General Surgery Elective patients. Not acute or outpatients

  

WHEN

From when to when
e.g. Patient admission to discharge

Outpatients

  

WHO

Who is involved in the process, e.g.

  • General Surgery team
  • Orderlies
  • ADU

Who isn't involved in the process, e.g.

  • Emergency Department NSH
  • Maternity

Be sure to label the most obvious exclusions