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Measurement & Data Activity: Kicking a Paper Football
This hands-on activity demonstrates how iterative tests of change (PDSA cycles) are informed by data, while also emphasizing the characteristics of measurement for improvement. The resources for an instructor include handouts, slides, and guidance for facilitating the activity.
While engaging in this activity, participants experience the difference between measurement for accountability and measurement for improvement in a tangible way. As they attempt to launch a paper football through a goal, they will generate change ideas and conduct multiple Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles (iterative testing). During these testing cycles, participants record and reflect on the role of data in helping them determine next steps and get better at reaching their goal.
This set of resources includes the following materials:
- Kicking a Paper Football Activity: Facilitator’s Guide – Outlines the activity objectives and structure
- Kicking a Paper Football: Activity Slides – Introduces the activity purpose and structure, and includes participant instructions and discussion prompts
- Participant Handouts – Includes instructions for the group activity as well as a recording sheet for theories, predictions, results and points
This game introduces key ideas related to data and measurement in improvement efforts. Participants should have some prior knowledge of the purpose of a theory of improvement (represented by a driver diagram) and the phases of a PDSA cycle before engaging in this activity.
Download Facilitator’s Guide for Kicking a Paper Football Activity (PDF)
Related Resources
Measurement for Improvement (Summit 2020)
Measurement & Data Activity: Paper Airplane Game