How Big Should My Dot Be? Using Spreadsheet Simulation to Evaluate Process Improvement Data Collection Strategies

Occasionally, healthcare professionals approach analytical topics and courses with a blend of fear and loathing. They may fail to grasp the connection between particular principles and their application to actual process analysis and improvement. The run chart is a persuasively powerful quantitative tool. Healthcare teams could use this tool to better comprehend the extent of process changes over time. Although constructing the run chart is mathematically simple, healthcare professionals may be uncertain as to sample size sufficiency. They may also be unsure of the number of observations required in run chart subgroups. We developed a spreadsheet simulation model to provide enhanced relevance for the topic of run chart subgroup size determination. This classroom-tested active learning exercise helps healthcare teams to visually understand the relationships between subgroup size, underlying process variation, and anticipated levels of improvement.