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Module 4: Creating Charts to Understand and Display Data Plan to spend at least 2 hours on this activity  Objective: to create professional-quality charts that can “stand alone,” telling a compelling sto

Jamez

• 4 min read

Module 4: Creating Charts to Understand and Display Data

Plan to spend at least 2 hours on this activity

 Objective: to create professional-quality charts that can “stand alone,” telling a compelling story which will help any reader to make data-informed decisions.  This typically includes the who, what, when, where, and how in the title, legend, axis labels and annotations.  For this assignment, data are provided to create 2 charts, a run chart, and a control chart.  The data is generic, so modify the labels and title to fit your selected quality improvement project.

To prepare for this assignment, complete the IHI 104 module: Interpreting Data: Run Charts, Control Charts, and Other Measurement tools.  When conducting quality improvement projects, graphical methods of analysis are often used, and are referred to as statistical process control (Lloyd, 2019).  The most popular are the run chart and the Shewhart control chart which accommodate repeated sampling over time, allowing us to study variation in the process and predict future performance of the process (Lloyd, 2019).

Run charts and control charts are used to visualize data over time and identify trends and patterns. Here’s a brief explanation of each:

Run Chart: A run chart is the simplest type of chart that plots a single line of data over time. It can help you spot upward and downward trends and provide a general picture of a process. However, it does not include any control limits.

Control Chart: A control chart also plots a single line of data over time, but it includes upper and lower control limit lines along with a centerline for the average. Control charts are used to monitor process performance and identify whether a process is in control or out of control. They are more detailed and complex than run charts and are typically used when a process is not in a state of control. Figure 1 illustrates an example of a control chart. (See IHI 104 module for further examples of run and control chart).

Instructions: Locate all the needed materials within the Module 4 Resource Folder: Run and Control Charts Resource Folder

  1. Use the data sets provided in the Excel file to create your charts. Do not alter the data.
  2. If you are not familiar with creating and interpreting control charts, refer to the references in the folder.  Start with the NHS Guide to Creating and Interpreting Run and Control Charts and continue in the order provided.
  3. Create each chart using Excel software or other software you prefer (DO include the type of software used in the annotation below the chart. Label the vertical (Y) axis with the name of a value that might be measured for your selected project. Label the horizontal (X) axis with the unit of time (week). 
  4. For awareness, we will typically want to determine the scale of the vertical axis. Generally, the scale should extend from a number about 20 percent more than the largest value and 20 percent smaller than the smallest value. Label the axis in equal intervals between these two numbers. (Note: do not use the 20% rule if it conflicts with logic; for example, if you have logical limits to your data such as 100% or 0, use those instead).

Include the following information for the respective charts.

  1. Run Chart: 
  2. Calculate the median and include the value in the chart. When you have 10 or more data points, you need to calculate the median of the plotted numbers and draw the median line on the graph. (The median is the point on the Y axis for which half the data points fall above, and half the data points fall below).
  3. Analyze the run chart, what do you notice? Look for runs, types of variations, any shifts or trends. (Review the NHS resource for guidance).
  4. Mark the chart with significant findings and mention these in the annotation. Feel free to create a plausible rationale for what you are seeing (in the context of your selected project). 
  5. Control Chart:
  6. Calculate the mean, standard deviations, and control limits. Mark these on the chart and include the values.
  7. Mark the chart to note when each test of change was initiated.
  8. Analyze the control chart, what do you notice? Control charts have their own set of rules for identifying special causes which are generally different from the rules applied to run charts. Don’t spend much time on the type of chart for this exercise. Start on page 23 of the NHS Guide and see what might apply to this control chart. Note the effect of the tests of change that were completed.
  9. Mark the chart with any significant findings and mention these in the annotation. Feel free to create a plausible rationale for what you are seeing (in the context of your selected project).
  10. Submit both charts in a Word doc file (Title page, Running head, APA, no reference page is needed). Develop a descriptive title and label the charts as a Figure via APA guidelines. 
  11. Enhance the quality of charts you create by editing to remove “excess ink” and unnecessary wording from auto-generated charts. Remove the auto-generated titles and background lines.
  12. Strive to produce a professional high-resolution image with clear legibility. Low resolution images appear blurry and legibility is limited.  Image quality will be considered while grading the assignment. Do not use snipping tool screen shots. Instead, copy/paste your chart from your original source, then click “save as” image (eg., jpg, PNG format) and paste it in a word doc.
  13. Please use the course forum for general questions on the charts.

 

References

Lloyd, R. C. (2019). Quality health care: a guide to developing and using indicators (2nd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Minnesota Department of Health. Control chart. http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/opi/qi/toolbox/controlchart.html

 

 

Figure 1: 

Your run chart title here

Annotation: (For this class Include software used): Example run chart obtained from: https://sixsigmastudyguide.com/run-chart/)

 

Figure 2: 

Your control chart title here

Annotation:  For this class Include software used): Example control chart obtained from: https://www.isixsigma.com/control-charts/a-guide-to-control-charts/

 

 

 

 

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