A theory of improvement connects an improvement aim to the specific practices or changes that are hypothesized to be needed in order to achieve that aim. A theory of improvement may be represented visually with a driver diagram. This guide provides a brief overview of the purpose of a theory of practice improvement and outlines the components of a driver diagram (aim, drivers, and change ideas).
A theory of practice improvement organizes the work of an improvement team or community by highlighting the overall goal a group is working toward and their working hypotheses about how they might alter system structures, processes, and norms to achieve their desired outcomes. This theory incorporates evidence from causal system analysis and is grounded in both research and practical knowledge in the field about the problem that is being addressed. The driver diagram is an improvement tool used to represent the theory of practice improvement, identifying the overall improvement aim, high-leverage areas of the system to focus on (drivers) and specific changes to try. It is a living document that evolves as new learning accumulates and the theory is revised.
Download the Theory of Practice Improvement & Driver Diagrams Quick Reference (PDF)
