The Path to Performance has been on the minds of regional LMP co-leads, UBT consultants and sponsors recently as we finished gathering baseline data on high-performing teams. None of us were surprised, as we collapsed four different score cards and multiple criteria into a single system for rating team progress, by the decrease in the number of high-performing teams. Thanks to everyone’s hard work, we reached agreement on the tool, and the process for the rating was unified and the data loaded in UBT tracker by January 14.

Under the new baseline for 2010, 329 teams qualify as high- performing. Many teams were missing just one or two key elements that prevented them from qualifying at a higher level. The missing elements usually have to do with sponsorship and training.

Sponsorship is evaluated from many angles. For example, does the team have sponsors? Do the sponsors have training? Are they visible and involved with their teams?  The regions are looking at ways to shore up sponsorship. The gaps in education showed when we evaluated whether sponsors were trained and whether teams had RIM+ and “advanced training.”

What do we need to know?

We are often asked what advanced training really means. The Path to Performance is specific about what training is required for Level 1 and Level 2 teams, but is more open-ended about advanced training. Fledgling teams require co-lead training, UBT Orientation and RIM+ for the whole team.

More advanced teams can choose from additional training in business literacy, coaching skills, metrics, breakthrough conversations, facilitative leadership, patient safety, deeper data analysis using control charts, among other skills. It is up to Level 3, 4 and 5 teams to decide what training they need to be successful. Sponsors should be on board with any training plan, and it should fit in with the regional and medical center goals. The Labor Management Partnership’s Education and Training department will make specific curricula available on business literacy and sponsor training. The education team works with each region and is always available as a resource.

The Path to Performance is a new tool and we all will learn a great deal as we become experienced with it. If you’ve got ideas about how to move your teams along the Path to Performance, please share them. We’re always happy to answer questions and open up a conversation.