Continuous Quality Improvement Initiative

Team Building

A key principle of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) is teamwork.  The first step to building successful teams is to create a culture that supports innovation and out-of-the-box thinking. 

Developing a Strong Team

Teamwork in CQI is achieved through an interdisciplinary group using their combined knowledge and skills to accomplish a common goal or purpose.  Team members should be representative of all parts and phases of the process, including the various administrative levels within the department or organization (e.g., physicians, nurses, technologists, practice managers, support staff, etc.).  By creating a diverse group, people with different skill sets, experiences, and viewpoints will provide a well-rounded assessment of the process.
Recruit staff that are interested or invested in the process that is being evaluated.  Having ‘volunteers’, rather than assigned members, helps assure the team has a commitment to achieving a successful outcome.  As you assemble your team, try to keep it small--five to nine members--as it will be easier to manage.
Once the specific team members have been identified, these principles will help in developing an effective team:
o    Establish the project objectives together.  Having members who share a fundamental knowledge of the process will expedite identification of objectives.
o    Listen to each other’s ideas and acknowledge their point of view.  Find solutions together.
o    Focus on total member participation--everyone has something to contribute.
o    Hold EFFECTIVE MEETINGS during the course of the project
o    Define project roles and responsibilities together.  If everyone has a clear role, individuals will be less likely to become frustrated and more willing to work together.
o    Promote responsibility.  Encourage team members to take responsibility for completing specific tasks and to solve problems as a team.  Celebrate when the entire team meets their objectives. 
o    With supervisors, establish blocks of time where team members can focus only on their quality improvement activities.  This may mean that other staff will have to take on additional work, or additional temporary staff may be needed for a short time.  If current staff will need to take on additional work, discuss this with them and obtain their support and commitment well before team members begin their tasks.  Monitor actual vs. planned time carefully and clarify all adjustments to work schedules.