Quality Improvement Resources

Run Charts

What: A run chart is a line graph in which data are plotted over time. The vertical axis represents a measurement; the horizontal axis is the time scale

Why: Determining if improvement has taken place over time requires observing patterns over time

• Run charts help formulate aims by showing how a process is performing over time
• They demonstrate directional change, i.e. if a change is in fact an improvement over time
• They provide feedback on the value of changes made to the process

When: When we  want to track data over time to identify trends and patterns, and predict values

How:

Here are instructions, example, and template from IHI