In this video, the presenter explains how a theory of practice improvement, represented in a driver diagram, supports coordinated action for an improvement team or network. Using an example driver diagram, the presenter discusses the different parts of a theory of improvement (aim, drivers, change ideas) and the relationship between them.
A theory of practice improvement helps to answer the improvement question, “What changes might we introduce, and why?” Represented visually in a driver diagram, a theory of improvement links specific change ideas to the high-leverage parts of the system that are hypothesized to be the key areas to impact in order to advance the improvement aim.
This video defines each part of a driver diagram. To illustrate those definitions, the presenter walks through the example of the theory of improvement for the Carnegie Math Pathways, an effort to improve student success in developmental math classes in community colleges.
