A strategic planning and quality improvement tool

In The Pleasure of Finding Things Out, Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman argues that scientific thinking should inform broader society, and vice versa. He advocates for intellectual exploration driven by curiosity, critical thinking and rigorous testing of ideas to advance knowledge reliably.

Nicknamed 'the Great Explainer', Feynman communicated complex concepts accessibly. As he said when describing rubber bands: "The world is a dynamic mess of jiggling things if you look at it right."

Though discovery raises more questions than answers, it's the pathway to solving difficult problems.

The driver diagram embodies Feynman's ideas: it's a tool for exploring concepts, breaking down complexity, and visually representing relationships between factors.

Tina

Driver diagram

The driver diagram is a strategic planning and quality improvement tool for simplifying complex goals and action prioritisation.

The driver diagram was first developed and popularised by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) in the late 1990s. The IHI, a non-profit organisation based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, is dedicated to improving health and healthcare globally. While the driver diagram originated in healthcare quality improvement initiatives, it has since been adopted for broader use across industries.

Use the driver diagram for a structured approach to breaking down complex goals into manageable, actionable components. The diagram offers a simple visual representation of strategy for better understanding and alignment among team members, crucial for collaborative problem solving.

In decision making processes, it helps in mapping out various factors influencing a situation and supporting more informed choices if prioritisation is needed. Its adaptability to various industries and project types makes it particularly useful for dealing with complex, multifaceted problems.

Get it done

1. Define the goal
Start by clearly stating the overall goal. This should be specific, measurable and time bound.

2. Identify primary drivers
List 3-6 main factors that directly influence your aim. These are the key areas that need to address to achieve the goal.

3. Determine secondary drivers
For each primary driver, identify specific elements or interventions that affect it. These should be more concrete than primary drivers but still broad enough to encompass multiple actions.

4. Generate change ideas
For each secondary driver, develop concrete actions or projects that can be implemented. These are specific, actionable steps.

5. Link relationships
Draw lines to show the relationships between the goal, primary drivers, secondary drivers and change ideas.

6. Review and refine
Assess your diagram for completeness and logic. Are there any missing connections or repetitive elements?

7. Iterate
The driver diagram is a living document. For long-term projects, it can guide ongoing planning and decision making as well as track progress towards the goal. New drivers or ideas can be added from new information arising during the implementation of ideas from the initial formulation.

 

References

NSW Government Clinical Excellence Commission. 2024. Driver diagrams.

Langley G.L., Moen R., Nolan K.M., Nolan T.W., Norman C.L. & Provost L.P. 2009. The Improvement Guide: A Practical Approach to Enhancing Organizational Performance(2nd Edition). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.