QUALITY CORNER: From opportunity identification to implementation: a model for action planning in organizations

Abstract

Although specific opportunities for improvement in organizations are easily identified through a variety of assessment techniques, the successful development and execution of action plans to address these opportunities is where most organizations falter. This article provides a simplified, yet comprehensive project management or action item framework that can be adapted to any situation or condition in an organization that requires a structured approach to corrective action. Both short‐term and long‐range planning efforts can be supported by the framework. Its primary benefits are the inclusion of measurements for success and the assignment of accountability for each step of the plan. It can of course be supplemented with more formal project management techniques and tools including Gantt, PERT and CPM methodologies.