A performance improvement team’s goal is to reduce the wait time from clinic check-in to seeing a provider. To achieve this, the team needs to understand the current process and identify areas ofimprovement1. A flowchart is a tool that can help the team visualize the current process, identify bottlenecks, and plan improvements1.
A flowchart is a diagram that represents a process, showing the steps as boxes of various kinds, and their order by connecting them with arrows1. This diagrammatic representation can give a step-by-step solution to a given problem1. It is particularly useful in understanding a hierarchical structure of processes and how they are interconnected1.
In the context of the team’s goal, a flowchart can help map out the entire process from patient check-in to consultation with the provider1. This visual representation can help the team understand where delays are occurring and where improvements can be made to reduce wait times1.
While the other tools mentioned (storyboard, force field analysis, Gantt chart) can be useful in certain scenarios, they don’t specifically address the need to visualize and understand a process23. Therefore, the flowchart is the most appropriate tool to recommend in this situation1.
