Please read the assigned chapters and information below before completing this assignment. Required Reading:
Hall, H. and Roussel, L. (2022). Evidence-based practice, an integrative approach to research, administration, and practice (314 ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning. Ch. 8-9. Harris, J. L., Roussel, L., Dearman, C., & Thomas, P. (2023). Project planning and management, a guide for nurses and interprofessional teams (4th ed.). Jones and Bartlett Learning. Ch. I, 5, 6, 7 & 9.
Moran, K. & Mihelach, K. (2024) Validating the problem and conceptualizing the project plan. In K. Moran, R. Burson, & D. Conrad. (Eds. )The doctor of nursing practice scholarly project (4th ed., Ch. 6. (pp.139-198). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Assignment Information:
Identifying Key Stakeholders
When planning a DNP project, it is critical to identify and reach out to the key stakeholders. Stakeholders are those individuals or groups who touch the project in some way or have an interest in the project outcome. These individuals can affect or could be affected by the outcome of the project. The student should consider those individuals or groups who are invested from multiple levels because they can provide an informed and unique perspective on issues that may have otherwise been overlooked.
Assessing the Environment
A comprehensive needs assessment involves two main areas: 1) an assessment of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (a SWOT analysis); and, 2) a gap analysis. A needs assessment can take many forms, dependent upon the type of unit, system, or organization being assessed, but it typically involves an objective review of internal processes and personnel. During a SWOT analysis, all aspects of the system are examined from a clinical micro, meso, or macro system perspective. The SWOT analysis will assist the project manager and team in identifying internal and external aspects that may positively or negatively affect the project (Moran, Burson, & Conrad, 2017, p. 124-125).
A gap analysis is a critical step in establishing both the problem and the evidence to support the need for the project. A gap analysis is dependent upon the identification of existing resources, politics, and culture within the environment. The strategy to deal with the items identified in the SWOT and gap analyses is up to the project team, facilitated by the project manager (Moran, Burson, & Conrad, 2017, p. 124-125).
Four questions to consider when completing a clinical needs assessment are:
1. How many, or which population needs and are anticipated to seek services?
2. Is there a need for services across several areas?
3. What are the types of services needed and the capacity to meet the identified needs?
4. Can existing services be coordinated to meet the needs; or what is required to improve services? (Harris, Roussel, Dearman, & Thomas, 2020).
Developing the Problem Statement
The problem statement is an introduction to the intent of the project. It should include enough information for the reader to gain an understanding of the issues surrounding the phenomenon of interest and the reason the project was selected as an area of focus. The problem statement provides the background to the problem and justification for investigating the phenomenon of interest, as demonstrated through the literature review. One approach to writing a problem statement is to include the following four components: (1) lead-in; (2) declaration of originality; (3) explanation; and (4) Indication of the central focus. Another approach to writing a problem statement is to begin by defining who, what, where, when, and why. In other words, who the problem involves, what the issue is, when and where the problem is occurring and why it is important to investigate. Regardless of the approach used, the goal is to identify the issue, describe it clearly but succinctly, and adequately articulate why it is important that the problem be addressed (Moran, Burson, & Conrad, 2017, p. 255-256).
Developing the Strategy
Strategy is the overall approach to the project and generally encompasses identifying alternative solutions to a problem and through a process of elimination, selecting the appropriate one for the environment or situation. In the case of planning a project, the project manager must balance all variables and alternatives and choose the best path while meeting the budget allocation, providing the best quality outcome, meeting performance measures, and maintaining scope all within the allotted time frame for project completion (Harris, Roussel, Dearman, & Thomas, 2017, p. 8-10).
