What is a key activity in the Plan phase of the PDSA cycle?

In the Plan phase of the PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) cycle, setting a score for how well a program meets standards is crucial as it establishes benchmarks for success and areas of improvement. This scoring serves as a way to quantify the current state of the program's effectiveness and alignment with established standards or desired outcomes. By defining these scores, practitioners can create measurable objectives to work towards in the next phases of the cycle.

This key activity enables evaluators and program implementers to have a clear understanding of where the program stands before any changes are made. It lays the groundwork for further analysis and informed decision-making in the subsequent phases. Without this step, there may be a lack of clarity regarding what needs to be improved, making it difficult to implement effective strategies later on.