Project outcome, measures

Risk is often defined as the likelihood of a certain event times a measure of the severity of its consequences. Most risk assessment studies concentrate on estimating the likelihood of certain events. They often concern the release of chemicals, or accidents in engineering projects and the project outcome. In thi.s section, the subject of accidents is not covered. Risk assessment (RA), as a technique, has been adopted by various national governments, by EU, and by OECD.-... 

Structure measures assess the accessibility, availability, and quality of resources, such as health insurance, bed capacity of a hospital, and the number of nurses with advanced training. Process measures assess the delivery of healthcare services by clinicians and providers. Outcome measures indicate the final result of care. Many useful measures can apply to different settings. Without commitment and support of senior-level leadership, even the best intended projects can fail. Champions of quality initiatives and improvement process need to be visible throughout the organization, but especially in leadership positions and on the team. 

Objective, measurable criteria are always best, while subjective criteria are risky and subject to interpretation. There should be no room for doubt or ambiguity, although this is often difficult to achieve. It is also important to be clear about what the project output is expected to accomplish. For instance, these three outcomes may produce entirely different results the project/product performs the specified functions it was built according to approved design or it solves the client s problem. 

In addition to a timeline, a second way to summarize anticipated accomplishments is to list your expected outcomes. Expected outcomes are measurable achievements that link back to the measurable objectives listed at the start of the proposal. Recall that the Project Description often starts out with a list of specific, achievable, and measurable (SAM) objectives. Timelines attest to the achievability of the objectives outcomes attest to their measurability. 

In projecting results of short-term trials over patients lifetimes, it is typical to present at least two of the many potential projections of lifetime treatment benefit. A one-time effect model assumes that the clinical benefit observed in the trial is the only clinical benefit received by patients. Under this model, after the trial has ended, the conditional probability of disease progression for patients is the same in both arms of the trial. Given that it is unlikely that a therapy will lose all benefits as soon as one stops measuring them, this projection method generally is pessimistic compared to the actual outcome. A continuous-benefit effect model assumes that the clinical benefit observed in the trial is continued throughout the patients lifetimes. Under this model, the conditional probability of disease progression for treatment and control patients continues at the same rate as that measured in the clinical trial. In contrast to the one-time model, this projection of treatment benefit most likely is optimistic compared to the treatment outcome. 

In traditional process control, models are often used to predict the deviation of the controlled variable from the desired state, the process error. This assumes that one knows the desired state. In complex batch processes, the desired state of the process is also dependent on history and changing dynamically. Further, most process models have to predict the outcome of an entire cycle to determine if the product will be good, so predictions are not available in real time, even for a slow process like the autoclave cure however, partial models have been used as virtual sensors to expand on the information available from sensors [38]. Saliba et al. used a kinetic model to predict the degree of cure as a function of time and temperature in a mold and used that predicted degree of cure to time pressure application and determine the completion of cure. Others [39] have used the predictions of models together with the measured progress of the process to predict future trends and even project process outcomes. 

Mattson ME, Del Boca FK, Carroll KM, Cooney NL, DiClemente CC, Donovan D, Kadden RM, McRee B, Rice C, Rycharik RG Zweben A (1998). Compliance with treatment and follow-up protocols in project MATCH predictors and relationship to outcome. Alcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research, 22, 1328-39 Maxwell S Shinderman MS (2002). Optimizing long-term response to methadone maintenance treatment a 152-week followup using higher-dose methadone. Journal of Addictive Diseases, 21, 1-12 McBride AJ, Sullivan JT Blewett A (1997). Amphetamine prescribing as a harm reduction measure a preliminary study. Addiction Research, 5, 95-112... 

A well-conceived preproject plan should be developed to anticipate and account for such exigencies. The ideal plan would be in the form of a decision network showing the various paths from alternative decisions. The paths would be measured and weighted in terms of the probabilities of completing them in a prescribed time. For every alternative outcome at each of the decision points, a path should lead to the completion of stockpile destruction by the CWC treaty date. If a path does not meet the treaty date, then either the decisions on that path must be made earlier or that path must be eliminated from consideration. For a path to be viable, the decisions on that path must be within the authority of project managers or steps must be taken as soon as possible to correct this situation. 

The abstract provides a brief summary of the major outcome of the research. It does not deal with the history of the project, the type of measurements conducted, or hypothesis that could not be confirmed. The abstract should avoid noninformative sentences. For example, what is wrong with the following abstract ... 

In our current research project we have identified a series of cognitive outcomes that are defined as active thinking skills. It is not just logical deduction that is necessary to handle more complex and messy social problems but, rather, complex thinking skills. We are exploring a variety of tests and ways of measuring this. The disposition to think critically is one of these skills and is composed of attributes that include openness to new ideas and inquisitiveness. It would seem that these dispositions are particularly important for scientists to possess. 

The application of low shear rheological measurements were the outcome of a joint research project between ICI Plant protection Division (Th. F. Tadros) and Bristol University (Prof. R. H. Ottewill, Dr G J Goodwin and Dr R Buscall). The authors are grateful to the Bristol group for establishing these techniques and their application to model suspensions. 

Background. Creating measurement indicators is the next step in the CQI process. Measurement of current practices will denote the baseline data for the project. Indicators must be rate based, reporting percent frequency of occurrence over time. The indicator should have a defined data source (utilization records, laboratory records, billing records, etc.), and include a numerator, denominator, reporhng frequency and responsibility, patient population, and threshold goal for improvement. Outcome indicators can be economic, clinical, humanishc, or process measures. Kozma... 

To ensure that your innovation will provide real value to customers, it s important to understand the major outcomes that are not currently satisfied by existing solutions. Use Outcome Expectations (Technique 2) to generate a list of expectations associated with the JTBD. Then, on the Project Charter, list the key unmet expectations. Use the format direction (minimize), measurement (time needed to acquire), object of action (breakfast), and context (in the busy morning). 

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