Any individual or group that has made a successful change has reduced variation from what they identified would be the ideal outcome.
There are four common components that are a fundamental aspect of ANY successful change. A change could include any action to develop or change a habit or routine or to undertake any kind of project or initiative. Actions fall within a predictable cycle such as the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle:
- Plan a change aimed at improvement.
- Do – carry out the change, preferably on a small scale.
- Assess (Study) the results.
- Act on the results. Were the outcomes good enough or was more work needed?
Consider any type of successful improvement that you have had in your life. A fun vacation, resolving an argument, coaching a team, teaching a skill to others, completing a course, supporting a candidate for office, or participating in a volunteer activity.
- Motivation. The “Why?” What led you to decide to get involved, to make a change? What was your “Plan”?
- Action. What did you “Do”?
- Feedback. What information did you need to determine success? What did your “Study” of results indicate? What effect did the change have on you and others?
- Learning. What further Actions (Act) if any, were needed? How would you summarize your overall experience? What worked, what did not? What have or did you share with others over the years about your experience?