Data is all around us.

Too often data is collected for data’s sake.

Is it helping or stopping you to do the day job, to move forward or be in control?

We are as passionate about turning ideas into action as we are about getting bogged down in data and not using it.   This includes asking the right questions at key stages, to ensure that you and others can deliver, and that data is a help not a hinderance.

This project follows a presentation at the Q community event in November 2017 and looks to help with a practical template, possibly an app, to turn ideas in to action and make the best use of data.

We challenged then:

Is data important just because it is data or is it how it is used?  Or is it just a hindrance to doing the day job?

This question still needs to be answered.

Now we want to roll our sleeves up with you to help avoid the dreaded black hole and data being collected for no purpose. And above all ensure that data is used as information.

Our project is relevant to any setting, and service.  And we can see its wider use.

Our project will help you to step back, plan and/or re-focus, wherever you and you colleagues work.  But for this project we will focus on integrated services around health and community care.

But like any good project we will listen and could  look at other areas or  just in general terms.  Your call, you challenge us and we will respond.

Our Project Scope

It looks to provide a template to help individuals and organisation can focus on what is important at two key stages:

• at the start of a project or new initiative when looking to makes changes/improvements
• at an existing project which uses data – should data collection continue, additional information be collected, and how is data being used.

For a new area it will help set the direction and way forward, and for an existing area it will be a helpful challenge.

Both stages will focus on what data is needed and why, who needs to be involved and being clear on its purpose.  It will pose questions on the resources needed and impact of other work.

So ……

Data needs to be seen as information and used accordingly:

• Inform and support delivery

• Inform and support decisions

• Encourage ideas and solution

• Help joint-working

• Help focus on what is important

• Help identify good and bad

Our aim is to help you move forward, and draw on other advice, guidance and techniques to help use and share data, and move projects, initiatives and change forward.

It will act as a check-list to help

• Avoid data being a distraction of thinking and resources

• Data to be used as information

• The right amount of data to be collected and maintained

• Involve the right people

• Select the right data collection and analysis tools

It is an important contribution to using data and resources effectively, in a timely manner or not at all.

Ultimately it will be about each person taking control of the data they need and/or use.

The template will challenge:

• Your thinking and use of data

• You to make the best use of data

• Whether are you collecting too much data

• When to stop or change

• What is in it for you and others

It will be simple.  It will give you confidence in moving forward and making best use of information and resources.  But it will have the potential to make a difference and ensure resources and energy are channelled to best effect.

Our Team

We draw on our experience as consultants, researchers, managers and planners and looks to focus on pragmatic digestible steps to enable everyone to move forward whatever the setting or challenge.

We share a real commitment   to making things worth, making the best use of time and resources and turning ideas and information into outcomes.

Our team comprises Pat Coulter and Helen Crisp.

Pat is a Consultant (PJCVision). and has 44 years’ experience of central and local government, health and organisations as an officer and management consultant, and in running private sector companies.   He helps organisations to deliver and improve services and partnerships, strategies and plans, improving how organisations meet the needs of their customers, how to respond to new initiatives All underpinned by a pragmatic approach to getting things done ensuring that everyone is clear on both what needs to be done as well as the benefits of planning, service, improvement, etc.  This needs good analysis and planning and good use of data.

Helen works as a strategic consultant, programme developer, trainer and editor in healthcare improvement.  She has over 20 years’ experience in the field, from quality standards assessment programmes for acute hospitals, mental health services, hospices, care homes and primary care, to managing research grants programmes for patient safety, quality improvement methods and person-centred care. Helen works with organisations to translate strategy into action for improvement, her training with staff teams aims to build the competencies and knowledge that translate to improved care for patients.

We hope to hear from you.  We hope that you want to be involved.

Pat and Helen