1. Scottish Improvement Skills
System of Profound Knowledge:
Review 2
SIS: Group A Quality Improvement Introduction and Principles: Module – System of Profound Knowledge: Review 2: Facilitator

2. Improvement principles
By the end of this session you will be able to:
apply Deming’s System of Profound Knowledge to help you understand the complexity in your improvement project.
Aim
Consolidate earlier learning about the System of Profound Knowledge
Build confidence in understanding and applying the framework
In sequence for full Scottish Improvement Skills: to reorient participants to improvement principles before new learning in Workshop 2
Key messages
System of Profound Knowledge is helpful to understand the complexity in any health and/or social care setting; a useful framework to think about your own project
Timing
45 mins
Lead Facilitator
Before moving on to the next slide, elicit the 4 components of Profound Knowledge

3. System of Profound Knowledge
Practice
Lead Facilitator
This framework provides us with a way of thinking about our improvement work
[Last time] we talked about how the System of Profound Knowledge can help you understand the complexity/messiness of life.
Now you’re going to take that a step further and apply it to a healthcare scenario and then your own project.
Deming 2000

4. Aim: promote staff wellbeing
Aim  Driver  Driver Change ideas
Staff complete safety climate survey
Promote the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of staff. By March 2017: (1) reduce staff absences from 5.2% to 4.2% (2) reduce staff related incidents from 140 to 100 per month.
Environment
Action planning from survey
Lean visual management of cupboards, notice boards etc
A workplace that is safe for staff
Activity
Use and location of hand gel dispensers
Staff able to focus as required
Schedule regular team huddles
Aim
To contextualise the activity material
Lead facilitator
Staff wellbeing driver diagram
We previously looked at a driver diagram and change ideas relating to this aim. This is half the driver diagram re aim (2) only.
We’re going to look at components of the System of Profound Knowledge in relation to this change idea: to prioritise use of hand gel dispensers and locate them accordingly [this is shortened on the slide]
Leadership training for team leads
People
Staff engaged in health and wellbeing practices
Offer Bereavement support programme for managers

5. System of Profound Knowledge
Practice
Task 1
Aim
To practise breaking down the complexity of a system by thinking about improvement work in terms of the System of Profound Knowledge
First, using a topic that is not their own improvement project, to develop thinking through discussion.
To get people thinking in improvement terms again, using an example that they don’t have any particular ownership of. This will help to prepare for the Project activity.
Timing
7 – 10 mins
Deming 2000

6. System of Profound Knowledge
Which of the 4 components are you finding most challenging in your project right now? Is this reflected in what you’ve included, or in there being gaps?
What would you advise the project team to work on?
Aim
To think about own project in a structured way and to gain confidence through advising on another project.
Lead facilitator
Continuing from previous task:
Work in pairs (1 group of 3 if necessary), one as A, one B
A: show B your Profound Knowledge sheet. Which of the four components are you finding most challenging in your project right now? Is this reflected in what you’ve included, or in there being gaps?
B: based on your experience, what would you advise the project team needs to work on?
Give approx time of 5 minutes to discuss. Ask pairs to swap over after 5-7 mins.
Timing
10 – 15 mins, to include both ways round.
Facilitators
Light touch facilitation - monitor the room and respond to any participant queries, and intervene if appropriate.
Plenary debrief.
Any particular components that seem to be more challenging than others? Why might this be?
When you were B: how did it feel advising your partner? (aiming to generate some confidence here)
These are the kind of discussions that you will find helpful with your project team.