Scottish Government : Health and Social Care Resources

Level 3 Certification requires successfully completing Level 1 and Level 2 Variability Methodology® Certification.

To gain Level 3 Certification your role in the implementation of  one of the three IHO Variability Methodology® projects will enable you to evidence:

Having implemented Variability Methodology® you should be able to:

• Identify critical elements to successfully complete each deliverable by articulating optimal sequencing of key project tasks and identifying interdependencies of various deliverables and key risks factors / common pitfalls
• Discuss how to effectively use data to evaluate system performance and support change management
• Identify specific operational and/or process changes required to meet stated project goals
• Discuss how to use recommended performance metrics to describe project outcomes and identify opportunities for further improvement, and
• Identify how to ensure sustainability by embedding new processes in daily practice.

Firstly spend some time reading the collection of example level 3 material avaialble on the IHO Variability Methodology Certification Programme Khub group to reflect on your level of knowledge and confidence in the application of the IHO Variability Methodology®. For Level 3 Certification you will be required to:

• Submit a written project report: this should take the format of a journal article. Actual publication is not a requisite for certification but the quality of your submission should be of a publishable standard. The submission can either be an individual or team submission.

• Deliver an oral presentation and address Q&A from a panel of experts. This may be an in person meeting or via WebEx. As mentioned above, it is perfectly acceptable to submit a report jointly written by members of a team. However, each member of the team will attend an individual oral presentation with Q&A session. You will be asked to discuss evidence of your: comprehensive understanding of the IHO Variability Methodology® project that was implemented, personal extensive contribution towards project implementation (at least 4 deliverables as noted earlier) and ability to explain and teach aspects of the Variability Methodology® project that you implemented.

We are pleased that you are interested in progressing with IHO Variability Methodology® Level 3 Certification. As a next step we encourage you to complete the self-reflection exercise before formally undertaking Level 3 Certification. Although optional, formulating your responses to the reflection questions will help you assess your current knowledge and understanding of the methodology and identify any potential gaps.

Once you are confident with your responses, you might compare them with these model answers.  Although you do not need to submit your responses to the Whole System Patient Flow Team, you are very welcome to discuss them or any questions that you might have with either your Health Board’s National Improvement Advisor or by emailing MPPP@gov.scot

If you are satisfied with your self-reflection and have decided to continue with Level 3 Certification, please go to the next section.

We hope you found the self-reflection process useful as an aid to highlight the knowledge you already have in IHO Variability Methodology®. 

Please email MPPP@gov.scot to formally notify us of your intention to complete Level 3 Certification or ask any questions, and we will be in touch to discuss how best to proceed. Once we receive your e-mail, you will also receive an invitation to the IHO Variability Methodology® Certification Knowledge Hub Group, if you are not already a member.

We have put together a Level 3 Certification pack, which will help you in identifying which key deliverables are applicable to you by highlighting related activities and listing key learning objectives linked to each key deliverable. Included, you will also find a submission template and suggested headings.

There are various supports available while you work towards Level 3 Certification. As the first point of contact, if you have any questions as you undertake the process of working towards Level 3 Certification, please contact the Service Improvement Manager linked with your Board or contact the Whole System Patient Flow Team. They will be able to help at various stages, such as:

• When you have developed a proposed report outline and may be seeking advice regarding report focus, structure, key messages, etc. 
• At any stage of report writing if you wish to seek clarification on any part of IHO Variability Methodology®.

In addition to support from the Whole System Patient Flow Team there are also further resources available within NHS Scotland including:

• Support with literature search: The Knowledge Network and NHS Library services
• Support in writing for journal publication 

The Whole System Patient Flow Team also acknowledge the requirement/intention of maintaining the skills gained as part of Level 3 Certification; therefore, opportunities will be made available to share your expertise with other boards in NHS Scotland and to mentor future Level 3 participants.

We may on occasion ask you to be a resource to the Whole System Patient Flow Team in sharing your experience and expertise in implementation of the IHO Variability Methodology®. The level of your input may vary from a request to reply to a forum post to presenting at a national conferences or WebEx sessions. Of course, all requests for your time are only if capacity within your service allows and if agreed with your line management.