Iterative Development: Going with the Flow to Improve Care

Healthcare can benefit immensely from implementing an Agile mindset. Specifically, Agile principles of value-driven delivery, adaptive planning, and continuous improvement can exert a positive impact on projects-especially amid the constant changes in laws, evidence-based practices, and technology in healthcare. The best way to apply Agile is to combine the discipline and structure of a traditional linear model with the adaptability of iterative development. That mix allows for certain controls but with the flexibility for stakeholders to provide input and call for adjustments at different stages. To start, an organization must build teams of multidisciplinary personnel with diverse perspectives. Delivering value should be addressed as soon as possible by considering stakeholder priorities, using tools for continuous project planning, and employing retrospectives to provide feedback and identify root causes. When leaders embrace value-driven delivery, adaptive planning, and continuous improvement, healthcare projects can lead to positive results and ultimately improve patient care.