Measures are recorded observations which include quantitative (numbers) and qualitative (words, pictures, images) data. There are three types of measures that can be used in improvement work:
- Outcome measures are related to the goal (aim statement) and show whether changes are leading to improvement.
- Process measures show whether a change is having its intended effect or is a sub-set of the outcome measure.
- Balancing measures ensure that changes to one part of the system are not causing problems in another part of the system.