Mini course · Foundation level
Quality Improvement in Practice: PDCA & Lean
Run a real improvement project: define the problem, write a SMART aim, pick the right measures, test a small change with PDSA, read a run chart, remove Lean waste, and decide whether to adopt, adapt or abandon the change.
What is Quality Improvement in Practice: PDCA & Lean?
You have been asked to improve a recurring problem in a healthcare service. Your job is not to launch a huge project overnight. Your job is to define the problem clearly, measure it, test a small change, learn from the data, remove waste, and decide whether the change should be adopted, adapted, or abandoned.
- Duration
- 1.7 hours
- Lessons
- 28
- Level
- Foundation
- Format
- Online, self-paced
What you'll be able to do
- Explain the purpose of quality improvement and how it differs from one-time problem solving.
- Describe the Model for Improvement and the PDSA cycle (and its relation to PDCA).
- Write a SMART improvement aim.
- Select outcome, process and balancing measures that match the aim.
- Plan a PDSA test and write a testable prediction.
- Interpret a basic run chart and distinguish a signal from normal variation.
- Identify the eight Lean wastes (DOWNTIME) in a healthcare process.
- Decide whether to adopt, adapt or abandon a tested change.
- Apply the full improvement cycle to a realistic healthcare case and plan for sustainability.
Who this course is for
Course content
28 lessons · 1.7 hours total · free preview available
1From Frustration to Improvement
5 minFree preview· Why Improvement Fails, and How It Succeeds
From Frustration to Improvement
Opens on the outpatient clinic case (patients waiting 95 minutes). Introduces quality improvement, the Model for Improvement and PDSA — improvement as disciplined learning, not one giant change.
2Fix the Problem or Improve the System?
4 min· Why Improvement Fails, and How It Succeeds
Fix the Problem or Improve the System?
Available after you enroll.
3The Model for Improvement
4 min· Why Improvement Fails, and How It Succeeds
The Model for Improvement
Available after you enroll.
4Big Change or Small Test?
4 min· Why Improvement Fails, and How It Succeeds
Big Change or Small Test?
Available after you enroll.
5PDCA or PDSA?
4 min· Why Improvement Fails, and How It Succeeds
PDCA or PDSA?
Available after you enroll.
6Aims, Measures & Metrics
5 min· Aims and Measures
Aims, Measures & Metrics
Available after you enroll.
7Build the SMART Aim
6 min· Aims and Measures
Build the SMART Aim
Available after you enroll.
8Outcome, Process or Balancing?
5 min· Aims and Measures
Outcome, Process or Balancing?
Available after you enroll.
9Choose the Right Measure
4 min· Aims and Measures
Choose the Right Measure
Available after you enroll.
10Build the QI Project Charter
8 min· Aims and Measures
Build the QI Project Charter
Available after you enroll.
11PDSA: Test Before You Scale
6 min· PDSA Cycles in Practice
PDSA: Test Before You Scale
Available after you enroll.
12Write the Prediction
5 min· PDSA Cycles in Practice
Write the Prediction
Available after you enroll.
13Plan the PDSA Test
7 min· PDSA Cycles in Practice
Plan the PDSA Test
Available after you enroll.
14What Did We Learn?
4 min· PDSA Cycles in Practice
What Did We Learn?
Available after you enroll.
15Adopt, Adapt or Abandon?
4 min· PDSA Cycles in Practice
Adopt, Adapt or Abandon?
Available after you enroll.
16Reading Run Charts
5 min· Reading Run Charts
Reading Run Charts
Available after you enroll.
17Read the Run Chart
5 min· Reading Run Charts
Read the Run Chart
Available after you enroll.
18Signal or Noise?
5 min· Reading Run Charts
Signal or Noise?
Available after you enroll.
19Don't Chase Every Number
4 min· Reading Run Charts
Don't Chase Every Number
Available after you enroll.
20Run Chart Decision
6 min· Reading Run Charts
Run Chart Decision
Available after you enroll.
21Lean: Seeing Waste in Healthcare
6 min· Lean: Seeing and Removing Waste
Lean: Seeing Waste in Healthcare
Available after you enroll.
22Spot the Eight Wastes
7 min· Lean: Seeing and Removing Waste
Spot the Eight Wastes
Available after you enroll.
23Waste Hunt
7 min· Lean: Seeing and Removing Waste
Waste Hunt
Available after you enroll.
24Build the Improved Flow
6 min· Lean: Seeing and Removing Waste
Build the Improved Flow
Available after you enroll.
25Connect Lean to PDSA
5 min· Lean: Seeing and Removing Waste
Connect Lean to PDSA
Available after you enroll.
26Complete the Improvement Project
18 min· Lean: Seeing and Removing Waste
Complete the Improvement Project
Available after you enroll.
27Final Quality Improvement Assessment
12 min· Lean: Seeing and Removing Waste
Final Quality Improvement Assessment
Available after you enroll.
28Quality Improvement Complete
1 min· Lean: Seeing and Removing Waste
Quality Improvement Complete
Available after you enroll.
Earn a credential employers can check
This certificate confirms completion of the AIHCM micro-course Quality Improvement in Practice: PDCA & Lean.
Issued: on completion
How it works
- Finish all 28 lessons at your own pace.
- Get your digital credential with a unique ID.
- Share it — employers can verify it at aihcm.us.
Questions people ask
How long does it take?
About 90–110 minutes, self-paced.
Is this a Lean certification?
No — it is a practical introduction to QI and Lean concepts you can apply immediately.