ASSIGNMENT: BUSINESS CASE ANALYSIS FOR HEALTHCARE IMPROVEMENT WGU

ASSIGNMENT: BUSINESS CASE ANALYSIS FOR HEALTHCARE IMPROVEMENT WGU

Note: This document should be used as a template for your healthcare improvement
project (HIP) academic paper. This paper should adhere to the formatting and style
standards of the 7th edition of the APA style manual (American Psychological
Association, 2020). Refer to the performance assessment tasks and rubrics for specific
instructions on submitting each section of your HIP paper.

2

D156: Business Case Analysis for Healthcare Improvement

Task1: Assessment

Stakeholder Identification
Needs Assessment
Impact Analysis and Template
SWOT Analysis and Template
SMART+C Goal and Outcome Statement and Template

Task 2: Introduction for Health Improvement Project

Problem Background
Description of Problem
Purpose Statement
Project Management Lifecyle
Project Guidance Initiation to Closure
Scholarly Source Review Purpose
Table of Scholarly Source
Scholarly Source Synthesis

3

D157: Managing Resources in an Era of Disruption

Human Resource Management

Staffing
Costs

Project Team Member Engagement

Recruitment Strategies
Support for Team Members
RACI Chart

Financial Resource Management

Budget Methods and Requirements
Pro Forma Operating Budget
Budget Variances
Project Charter

4

D158: Strategically Planning the Execution of a HIP

Meetings and Organizational Policies
Action Plan Development and Template
SDOH and Target Population
Force Field Analysis and Template
Gantt Chart Information and Template
Scope Statement
Communication Management Plan

5
D159: Evidenced Based Measures for Evaluating Healthcare Improvement
Team Member Collaboration
Data Elements
Data Source
KPI and Benchmarks
Data Collection Method and Parameters
Data Analysis
Results Dissemination Plan
Project Closure Plan

Important information for writing discussion questions and participation

Welcome to class

Hello class and welcome to the class and I will be your instructor for this course. This is a -week course and requires a lot of time commitment, organization, and a high level of dedication. Please use the class syllabus to guide you through all the assignments required for the course. I have also attached the classroom policies to this announcement to know your expectations for this course. Please review this document carefully and ask me any questions if you do. You could email me at any time or send me a message via the “message” icon in halo if you need to contact me. I check my email regularly, so you should get a response within 24 hours. If you have not heard from me within 24 hours and need to contact me urgently, please send a follow up text to

I strongly encourage that you do not wait until the very last minute to complete your assignments. Your assignments in weeks 4 and 5 require early planning as you would need to present a teaching plan and interview a community health provider. I advise you look at the requirements for these assignments at the beginning of the course and plan accordingly. I have posted the YouTube link that explains all the class assignments in detail. It is required that you watch this 32-minute video as the assignments from week 3 through 5 require that you follow the instructions to the letter to succeed. Failure to complete these assignments according to instructions might lead to a zero. After watching the video, please schedule a one-on-one with me to discuss your topic for your project by the second week of class. Use this link to schedule a 15-minute session. Please, call me at the time of your appointment on my number. Please note that I will NOT call you.

Please, be advised I do NOT accept any assignments by email. If you are having technical issues with uploading an assignment, contact the technical department and inform me of the issue. If you have any issues that would prevent you from getting your assignments to me by the deadline, please inform me to request a possible extension. Note that working fulltime or overtime is no excuse for late assignments. There is a 5%-point deduction for every day your assignment is late. This only applies to approved extensions. Late assignments will not be accepted.

If you think you would be needing accommodations due to any reasons, please contact the appropriate department to request accommodations.

Plagiarism is highly prohibited. Please ensure you are citing your sources correctly using APA 7th edition. All assignments including discussion posts should be formatted in APA with the appropriate spacing, font, margin, and indents. Any papers not well formatted would be returned back to you, hence, I advise you review APA formatting style. I have attached a sample paper in APA format and will also post sample discussion responses in subsequent announcements.

Your initial discussion post should be a minimum of 200 words and response posts should be a minimum of 150 words. Be advised that I grade based on quality and not necessarily the number of words you post. A minimum of TWO references should be used for your initial post. For your response post, you do not need references as personal experiences would count as response posts. If you however cite anything from the literature for your response post, it is required that you cite your reference. You should include a minimum of THREE references for papers in this course. Please note that references should be no more than 5 years old except recommended as a resource for the class. Furthermore, for each discussion board question, you need ONE initial substantive response and TWO substantive responses to either your classmates or your instructor for a total of THREE responses. There are TWO discussion questions each week, hence, you need a total minimum of SIX discussion posts for each week. I usually post a discussion question each week. You could also respond to these as it would count towards your required SIX discussion posts for the week.

I understand this is a lot of information to cover in 5 weeks, however, the Bible says in Philippians 4:13 that we can do all things through Christ that strengthens us. Even in times like this, we are encouraged by God’s word that we have that ability in us to succeed with His strength. I pray that each and every one of you receives strength for this course and life generally as we navigate through this pandemic that is shaking our world today. Relax and enjoy the course!

Hi Class,

Please read through the following information on writing a Discussion question response and participation posts.

Contact me if you have any questions.

Important information on Writing a Discussion Question

• Your response needs to be a minimum of 150 words (not including your list of references)
• There needs to be at least TWO references with ONE being a peer reviewed professional journal article.
• Include in-text citations in your response
• Do not include quotes—instead summarize and paraphrase the information
• Follow APA-7th edition
• Points will be deducted if the above is not followed

Participation –replies to your classmates or instructor

• A minimum of 6 responses per week, on at least 3 days of the week.
• Each response needs at least ONE reference with citations—best if it is a peer reviewed journal article
• Each response needs to be at least 75 words in length (does not include your list of references)
• Responses need to be substantive by bringing information to the discussion or further enhance the discussion. Responses of “I agree” or “great post” does not count for the word count.
• Follow APA 7th edition
• Points will be deducted if the above is not followed

• Remember to use and follow APA-7th edition for all weekly assignments, discussion questions, and participation points.
• Here are some helpful links
• The is a great resource

 

 

L160: Nursing Leadership and Management Field Experience
Task 1: Proposed Project Pre-Implementation Field Experience

Agenda and Leadership Strategies
Training Plan
Validation of Training Plan

Proposed Project Implementation and Control Field Experience

Project Proposal Journal
Project Management Strategy
Project Status Reporting Methods

7

L161: Healthcare Improvement Project Evaluation and Closure

Evaluation of Process

Key Lessons
Final Data Analysis
Project Considerations
KPI
Improving the Metrics

Reflection

Success and Challenges
Project Team Contribution
Issue Response
Tracking KPI

Project Closure

Project Closure and Celebration
Wrap Up Session
Conclusion

8

References

9

Appendix A
Impact Analysis (D156)

Benefits: Identify two categories and at least two benefits for each of the categories
that will be positively impacted by the implementation of your improvement project. Use
a norms-based scale as a method of quantifying the impact the benefits will have. Give
a “1” rating for low impact, a “2” rating for moderate impact, and a “3” rating for high
impact. Total these benefit ratings and enter the sum in the “Total Benefits Score” cell.
Category Improvement Project Benefits Rating

1
2
3
4

Total Benefits Score

Risks: Using the same categories identified in the “Benefits” section, identify at least
two risks for each of the categories that may be negatively impacted by the
implementation of your healthcare improvement project. As you did in the “Benefits”
section, rate the risks using the norms-based scale of “1” for low impact, “2” for
moderate impact, and “3” for high impact. Total these ratings and enter the sum in the
“Total Risks Score” cell.
Category Improvement Project Risks Rating

1
2
3
4

Total Risks Score

Calculate the impact ratio by dividing the benefits total score by the risks total score,
then enter that ratio into the table below. Use the criteria in the table below to determine
if the benefits outweigh the risks.

Impact Ratio = _______ [Benefits Rating total score divided by Risks Rating]

10

Appendix B
SWOT Analysis (D156)

A SWOT analysis will help you identify internal and external factors in an organization
that may impact the readiness of the organization for an improvement project. At a
minimum, identify two internal criteria and two external criteria. Then for the internal
criteria, identify two Strengths and two Weaknesses for each of the criteria. For the
external criteria, identify two Opportunities and two Threats for each of the criteria. The
presence of weaknesses and threats are gaps to be addressed in planning, while the
absence of strengths or opportunities clarifies the need for further planning or
development before implementation. Click in the following boxes to enter your SWOT
factors.

Factors to maintain Factors to address
Internal Criteria Strengths Weaknesses
(Examples:
 Collective capabilities
 Morale, commitment,
leadership
 Governance,
participation norms,
and defined roles
 Resources, funding,
assets, people
 Experience,
knowledge, data
 Innovative aspects
 Collaboration tools
 Processes, systems,
IT, and
communications
 Cultural, attitudinal,
behavioral norms)

What does the
organization do well that
will help the
implementation of the
project?

What does the
organization lack that may
hinder the implementation
of the project?

External Criteria Opportunities Threats
(Examples:
 Political, legislative,
and financial
environment
 Stakeholder

What external factors will
help facilitate the
implementation of your
project?

What external factors will
hinder the implementation
of your project?

11

involvement
 Technology
development and
innovation
 Development of
knowledge
 Uptake in
disseminated
knowledge or best
practices)

Appendix C

SMART+C Goal Worksheet (D156)

This worksheet is designed to help you create a SMART+C (specific, measurable,
achievable, relevant, time-bound, and challenging) goal for your healthcare
improvement project (HIP). First, answer the following SMART+C criteria questions

12
about your project. Next, synthesize your answers into a SMART+C goal for your
project and enter it into the project goal box. Finally, state what the expected outcome of
your goal will be.
SMART+C Criteria
Questions

SMART+C Criteria
Answers

Specific: What is the
specific project?
Measurable: What are the
indicators or parameters
that will be measured?
Achievable: How feasible
or realistic is the project?
Relevant: How worthwhile
is the project to the
organization?
Time-Bound: What are the
start and end dates of the
project?
Challenging: What is
challenging about the
project?
SMART+C Project Goal:

Goal Outcome Statement:

13

Appendix D

Table of Relevant Scholarly Sources (D156 task 2)

Intext
citation

Scholarly
Source Title

Type of
Scholarly
Source Relevance

Intext citation
to include
publication
year in
parentheses

Title of the
journal article,
book, or
webpage

(e.g., peer-
reviewed
journal article,
book,
electronic
source)

Explain how the source is similar and
relevant to your proposed project.

14

Appendix E
RACI Chart (D157)

HIP Roles &
Responsibilities
Matrix

ROLES

Role Title Role Title Role Title Role Title Role Title

Deliverable/Task #1
Deliverable/Task #2
Deliverable/Task #3
Deliverable/Task #4
Deliverable/Task #5
Deliverable/Task #6
Deliverable/Task #7
Deliverable/Task #8
Deliverable/Task #9
Deliverable/Task
#10
In the empty boxes above, enter the appropriate letter for the role that will be
Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, or Informed (based on the following
definitions) for each deliverable/task.
R = Responsible for completion of task or deliverable
A = Accountable for completion and approval of the task
C = Consulted by those responsible for advice and expertise
I = Kept updated on progress and notified when tasks are completed

15

Appendix F

Pro Forma Operating Budget (D157)

Budget Item

Budget
Amount Description Comments

 

16

Appendix G

Healthcare Improvement Project Charter (D157)

Background
[Why is the project being undertaken? Justify the need for this project and describe the
issue or opportunity that the project is to address. Include summary details of the
project.]
Project Goal and Outcome Statement
[Insert your SMART+C goal and project outcome statement]
Project Milestones
[Identify the significant project milestones: start date, end date.]
Project Budget
[Describe the main project expenses and total anticipated expenses. If there is funding
for the project, identify the source.]
Significant Risks
Risks [What are the most significant risks? What must happen before

the project is delivered?]

Appendix H
Action Plan Template (D158)

17

Action
Item
Owner
Role or
Title

Five Action Items
(specific, high-level)

Phase When Action
Item Will Be Completed
(e.g., pre-, during, or
post-implementation)

Target Due
Date

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

18

Appendix I

Healthcare Improvement Project
Force Field Analysis Template (D158)

FORCE FIELD ANALYSIS

A force field analysis will help you identify the driving and restraining forces for the
implementation of your healthcare improvement project (HIP). In the following table, list
three positive forces that may drive the implementation of your project and three
negative forces that may restrain it.
3 Positive (Driving) Forces 3 Negative (Restraining) Forces
1.

1.

2. 2.

3.

3.

19

Appendix J
Gantt Chart (D158)

 

Title of Healthcare Improvement Project

Author Name (First, Middle Initial, Last)
Western Governors University
College of Health Profession
Name of Instructor
Month, Day, Year

Note: This document should be used as a template for your healthcare improvement
project (HIP) academic paper. This paper should adhere to the formatting and style
standards of the 7th edition of the APA style manual (American Psychological
Association, 2020). Refer to the performance assessment tasks and rubrics for specific
instructions on submitting each section of your HIP paper.

2

D156: Business Case Analysis for Healthcare Improvement

Task1: Assessment

Stakeholder Identification
Needs Assessment
Impact Analysis and Template
SWOT Analysis and Template
SMART+C Goal and Outcome Statement and Template

Task 2: Introduction for Health Improvement Project

Problem Background
Description of Problem
Purpose Statement
Project Management Lifecyle
Project Guidance Initiation to Closure
Scholarly Source Review Purpose
Table of Scholarly Source
Scholarly Source Synthesis

3

D157: Managing Resources in an Era of Disruption

Human Resource Management

Staffing
Costs

Project Team Member Engagement

Recruitment Strategies
Support for Team Members
RACI Chart

Financial Resource Management

Budget Methods and Requirements
Pro Forma Operating Budget
Budget Variances
Project Charter

4

D158: Strategically Planning the Execution of a HIP

Meetings and Organizational Policies
Action Plan Development and Template
SDOH and Target Population
Force Field Analysis and Template
Gantt Chart Information and Template
Scope Statement
Communication Management Plan

5
D159: Evidenced Based Measures for Evaluating Healthcare Improvement
Team Member Collaboration
Data Elements
Data Source
KPI and Benchmarks
Data Collection Method and Parameters
Data Analysis
Results Dissemination Plan
Project Closure Plan

6

L160: Nursing Leadership and Management Field Experience
Task 1: Proposed Project Pre-Implementation Field Experience

Agenda and Leadership Strategies
Training Plan
Validation of Training Plan

Proposed Project Implementation and Control Field Experience

Project Proposal Journal
Project Management Strategy
Project Status Reporting Methods

7

L161: Healthcare Improvement Project Evaluation and Closure

Evaluation of Process

Key Lessons
Final Data Analysis
Project Considerations
KPI
Improving the Metrics

Reflection

Success and Challenges
Project Team Contribution
Issue Response
Tracking KPI

Project Closure

Project Closure and Celebration
Wrap Up Session
Conclusion

8

References

9

Appendix A
Impact Analysis (D156)

Benefits: Identify two categories and at least two benefits for each of the categories
that will be positively impacted by the implementation of your improvement project. Use
a norms-based scale as a method of quantifying the impact the benefits will have. Give
a “1” rating for low impact, a “2” rating for moderate impact, and a “3” rating for high
impact. Total these benefit ratings and enter the sum in the “Total Benefits Score” cell.
Category Improvement Project Benefits Rating

1
2
3
4

Total Benefits Score

Risks: Using the same categories identified in the “Benefits” section, identify at least
two risks for each of the categories that may be negatively impacted by the
implementation of your healthcare improvement project. As you did in the “Benefits”
section, rate the risks using the norms-based scale of “1” for low impact, “2” for
moderate impact, and “3” for high impact. Total these ratings and enter the sum in the
“Total Risks Score” cell.
Category Improvement Project Risks Rating

1
2
3
4

Total Risks Score

Calculate the impact ratio by dividing the benefits total score by the risks total score,
then enter that ratio into the table below. Use the criteria in the table below to determine
if the benefits outweigh the risks.

Impact Ratio = _______ [Benefits Rating total score divided by Risks Rating]

10

Appendix B
SWOT Analysis (D156)

A SWOT analysis will help you identify internal and external factors in an organization
that may impact the readiness of the organization for an improvement project. At a
minimum, identify two internal criteria and two external criteria. Then for the internal
criteria, identify two Strengths and two Weaknesses for each of the criteria. For the
external criteria, identify two Opportunities and two Threats for each of the criteria. The
presence of weaknesses and threats are gaps to be addressed in planning, while the
absence of strengths or opportunities clarifies the need for further planning or
development before implementation. Click in the following boxes to enter your SWOT
factors.

Factors to maintain Factors to address
Internal Criteria Strengths Weaknesses
(Examples:
 Collective capabilities
 Morale, commitment,
leadership
 Governance,
participation norms,
and defined roles
 Resources, funding,
assets, people
 Experience,
knowledge, data
 Innovative aspects
 Collaboration tools
 Processes, systems,
IT, and
communications
 Cultural, attitudinal,
behavioral norms)

What does the
organization do well that
will help the
implementation of the
project?

What does the
organization lack that may
hinder the implementation
of the project?

External Criteria Opportunities Threats
(Examples:
 Political, legislative,
and financial
environment
 Stakeholder

What external factors will
help facilitate the
implementation of your
project?

What external factors will
hinder the implementation
of your project?

11

involvement
 Technology
development and
innovation
 Development of
knowledge
 Uptake in
disseminated
knowledge or best
practices)

Appendix C

SMART+C Goal Worksheet (D156)

This worksheet is designed to help you create a SMART+C (specific, measurable,
achievable, relevant, time-bound, and challenging) goal for your healthcare
improvement project (HIP). First, answer the following SMART+C criteria questions

12
about your project. Next, synthesize your answers into a SMART+C goal for your
project and enter it into the project goal box. Finally, state what the expected outcome of
your goal will be.
SMART+C Criteria
Questions

SMART+C Criteria
Answers

Specific: What is the
specific project?
Measurable: What are the
indicators or parameters
that will be measured?
Achievable: How feasible
or realistic is the project?
Relevant: How worthwhile
is the project to the
organization?
Time-Bound: What are the
start and end dates of the
project?
Challenging: What is
challenging about the
project?
SMART+C Project Goal:

Goal Outcome Statement:

13

Appendix D

Table of Relevant Scholarly Sources (D156 task 2)

Intext
citation

Scholarly
Source Title

Type of
Scholarly
Source Relevance

Intext citation
to include
publication
year in
parentheses

Title of the
journal article,
book, or
webpage

(e.g., peer-
reviewed
journal article,
book,
electronic
source)

Explain how the source is similar and
relevant to your proposed project.

14

Appendix E
RACI Chart (D157)

HIP Roles &
Responsibilities
Matrix

ROLES

Role Title Role Title Role Title Role Title Role Title

Deliverable/Task #1
Deliverable/Task #2
Deliverable/Task #3
Deliverable/Task #4
Deliverable/Task #5
Deliverable/Task #6
Deliverable/Task #7
Deliverable/Task #8
Deliverable/Task #9
Deliverable/Task
#10
In the empty boxes above, enter the appropriate letter for the role that will be
Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, or Informed (based on the following
definitions) for each deliverable/task.
R = Responsible for completion of task or deliverable
A = Accountable for completion and approval of the task
C = Consulted by those responsible for advice and expertise
I = Kept updated on progress and notified when tasks are completed

15

Appendix F

Pro Forma Operating Budget (D157)

Budget Item

Budget
Amount Description Comments

 

16

Appendix G

Healthcare Improvement Project Charter (D157)

Background
[Why is the project being undertaken? Justify the need for this project and describe the
issue or opportunity that the project is to address. Include summary details of the
project.]
Project Goal and Outcome Statement
[Insert your SMART+C goal and project outcome statement]
Project Milestones
[Identify the significant project milestones: start date, end date.]
Project Budget
[Describe the main project expenses and total anticipated expenses. If there is funding
for the project, identify the source.]
Significant Risks
Risks [What are the most significant risks? What must happen before

the project is delivered?]

Appendix H
Action Plan Template (D158)

17

Action
Item
Owner
Role or
Title

Five Action Items
(specific, high-level)

Phase When Action
Item Will Be Completed
(e.g., pre-, during, or
post-implementation)

Target Due
Date

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

18

Appendix I

Healthcare Improvement Project
Force Field Analysis Template (D158)

FORCE FIELD ANALYSIS

A force field analysis will help you identify the driving and restraining forces for the
implementation of your healthcare improvement project (HIP). In the following table, list
three positive forces that may drive the implementation of your project and three
negative forces that may restrain it.
3 Positive (Driving) Forces 3 Negative (Restraining) Forces
1.

1.

2. 2.

3.

3.

19

Appendix J
Gantt Chart (D158)