You are the nurse representative on a QI project team that plans to reduce the use of mental health restraints. The project has been going on for 3 months, yet the expectation was it would be completed within weeks. The project meetings are typically attended by half of the participants. The leadership project sponsor, who was away when the project started, has assigned the project lead to a psychiatrist who has delegated the lead role to one of the mental health administrative support staff and does not attend the scheduled meetings. Although the organization’s patient safety officer has created a project charter, the psychiatrist also does not think there is a problem that needs improvement. As a project team member, you are frustrated and think the team needs motivation.

1. What CUES for the causes of the project delay could you provide to the leadership project sponsor?

2. What HYPOTHESIS can you consider?

3. What ACTION (plan and implement) would be the most effective in this situation?

4. What OUTCOMES would you consider evaluating?