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Driver Diagram

A driver diagram is a visual tool that maps the aim (goal) of a project, major factors (primary drivers) influencing the aim, and specific actions (change ideas or PDSAs) to drive improvement. It helps teams understand their system’s complexity, influencing factors, and the relationships between their change ideas and the desired outcome. A driver diagram includes your SMART aim, which is a statement that declares what you intend to improve. Your aim should meet the SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Attainable/Achievable, Relevant, and Timebound) and address the following: what will be improved, by how much, for whom, and by when. A driver diagram can also include a global aim which expresses why you are doing the project. All driver diagrams have a SMART aim but not all of them will have a global aim. 

Key Steps

  • Define your aim using the SMART criteria. If necessary, identify a global aim. 
  • Identify primary drivers based on your aim; using your process map, determine the key factors and quality gaps that directly influence the aim.
  • Determine secondary drivers (optional): Identify the specific actions or processes that impact the primary drivers.
  • Develop change ideas: based on theory or the gap analysis, generate actionable strategies to test and implement improvements.

Resources

Read
  • What’s Your Theory – This article from American Society for Quality (ASQ) presents a driver diagram that serves as a tool for building and testing theories.
  • Ontario Driver Diagram Instructions – This article outlines why driver diagrams are important and the steps to complete one. 
Use
Watch
  • Driver Diagram Overview – This video from IHI provides an overview on how to create a driver diagram (Video – 6:23).
  • How Do You Use a Driver Diagram? – This video from IHI describes the relationship between driver diagram and PDSA and outlines the difference between primary and secondary drivers (Video – 6:38).

 

Related QI Concepts

  • Data Collection Planning – Identifying and tracking your measures will help you as you consider your major drivers for your project and whether you are moving towards achieving your aim.
  • Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) – Also known as changes ideas, PDSAs are a key feature on driver diagrams and essentially specify activities that your team is doing to improve your process.   
  • Project Charter – Your project charter is a roadmap for your project and includes your goal and reason for your project. Your project goal is an essential component of your driver diagram.
  • Identifying Gaps & Root Causes – Understanding your gaps and root causes will help you identify your biggest barriers within your project and what change ideas you can test.