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Using Data for Improvement: Data Infrastructure Activity
In this simulation activity, participants explore the complexities of undertaking measurement to inform improvement activities and the infrastructure (roles, processes, and tools) needed to ensure that data can be effectively collected and acted upon. These materials for instructors or facilitators can be used after participants have been introduced to measurement for improvement and different types of data that can support learning about a theory of improvement.
Data infrastructure is made up of the roles, processes, and tools that allow an organization to collect, manage, analyze, and act on data. This infrastructure is needed to support networked improvement and to enable a community to act quickly on what they are learning through their improvement efforts.
This set of resources for facilitators includes the following materials:
- Data Infrastructure Activity: Facilitator’s Guide – Outlines the activity structure and objectives, highlighting key facilitator moves
- Data Infrastructure Activity: Introductory Slides – Provides an overview of the different elements of data infrastructure, framing for the activity, and a summary of key takeaways
- Participant Handouts – Includes a process map template and a task card for each role in the simulation activity – summarizing each person’s expertise, goals, and constraints related to the improvement project
This activity begins with a brief overview of the technical and social processes related to data infrastructures commonly found in educational settings (see introductory slides below). Next, participants engage in a small-group activity where each person is given a role as a member of a cross-functional improvement team (teacher, principal, data analyst, etc.) focused on improving 6th grade math proficiency. As a group, participants will design a process by which a short survey can be completed by students in 6th grade math classes, the data managed and analyzed, and the information reported out to teachers.
Through this activity participants will consider the importance of providing data rapidly in an improvement project and the different stakeholders that need to be involved to ensure that data can be effectively collected, managed, analyzed and acted upon.
Download Data Infrastructure Activity: Facilitator’s Guide (PDF)