Driver diagram builder

Diagram title

Goal

Start with a clearly defined, measurable goal with a date.

Drivers and projects

Press Enter in a box to add the next one at the same level. Shift+Enter starts a new line.

Balancing measures

What must not get worse while you pursue the goal?

This builder follows the layout of the NHS England example driver diagram: the goal sits on the left and is broken down, column by column, into what drives it and finally into the changes you will test.

Goal: the measurable aim everything points towards. Primary drivers: factors believed to have a direct impact on the goal. Secondary and tertiary drivers: a primary driver broken down further, only as far as is useful. Projects: the actual change ideas. They can hang off a driver at any level. Balancing measures: related goals that must not suffer, usually just monitored.

Building one with your team

Agree a clear, measurable goal saying what you want to achieve and by when.
Bring together people who know every part of the process and brainstorm where improvement is needed.
Cluster the ideas into a set of drivers, worded with direction such as “improve”, “increase” or “reduce”, each clear enough to measure.
Challenge the set: add missing drivers and remove any that are wrong or immaterial.
Link drivers into primary, secondary and tertiary levels.
Name any balancing goals or measures.
Choose the projects you believe will move your drivers.

Good habits

Treat it as a live tool and revise it as your system changes.
Measures on the goal, drivers and projects turn the diagram into a measurement framework.
Stop adding layers once the projects become obvious.
Prioritise: pick quick wins and drop drivers with little real impact, but don’t dismiss drivers just because they seem outside your control.
One goal per diagram is usually clearer than several.

Source: NHS England Improvement Hub, “An example of driver diagrams”.

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