Why do it
This is a formal decision point to decide whether:
- to move forward and implement the change
- further development is needed
- to abandon the change altogether
It helps maintain momentum. You can also expand its delivery or use what you learned for other projects or future changes.
Up until this point, the prototyping and testing step often involves a formal pilot. This usually stops when the funding runs out.
Building a formal review for implementation into your cycle of change helps you decide which pilots should move into implementation to improve care and support delivery.
What is it
Has it achieved the purpose you intended? Refer back to the identify step. Has the change you tested solved the problem or delivered on the opportunity you identified?
Has it improved outcomes for people?
Has it changed people’s ability to access your service or care?
Has it improved or worsened the outcomes for people with protected characteristics, people from areas of high deprivation or who have experienced trauma, or other considerations which impact on inequitable care outcomes?
Reflecting on these questions may help you see how well your test of change worked:
- what things have you learned from your prototyping and testing?
- what helped the change to work, and what hindered the change to happen?
- what have you learned about the enablers for change required to make this change work?
When deciding what to do next, you may find it helpful to consider whether you want to:
- adopt the change – continue implementing the change and consider expanding it to other areas
- adapt the change – where it shows some merit, but requires further work
- you may want to return to an earlier step in the change cycle to progress with these adaptations
- abandon the change – if the change has not worked or if a better option is now available
Involving a diverse group of stakeholders is crucial now. This includes people with lived experience and communities. It improves the quality of your insights and raises the chances that they will back and act on the next steps.
Who might you involve
It can be helpful to think about who you might need to involve or get help from during this step.
Think about:
- what skills, knowledge, and experience do you need
- what roles and responsibilities do you need in the room to think together and make decisions
- who might you need to support your work to get agreement
The skills and professions you might need to have involved in the change include:
- health and social care clinicians and professionals
- people with lived experience
- third and independent sector staff
- support staff (like data analysts, project managers, service designers, quality improvers, engagement experts, strategic planners, and organisational development professionals)
Practical support
Project management activities to be undertaken during this step of change. In addition, you can access further practical support below.
Taking the next step
Once you’ve reviewed your change initiative ahead of implementation, you’re ready to advance to the define and implement step, where planning for how you will make your change initiative business as usual can begin.
In some instances, you may not always follow the steps in order, and it may be necessary to revisit a previous step as new insights or evolving circumstances emerge.