Table 1.

A Timeline of Project steps, Trainings/Tools, Actions and Goals

Timeline	Project Step	Training or Tool	Recommended Actions	Goals
Month 1	Introduction to QI and Begin a QI Project	QI 101 presentation	Learn basic QI	Understand basic QI approaches & tools
			Decide on a QI project	Identify an issue to improve
			Assemble an internal team to work on the project	Organize a team
		QI handout	Learn about the issue that needs improvement	Clarify current knowledge and understand root causes of problems
Month 2	Pre-Patient Engagement Planning & Continue Planning QI Project	Patient Engagement Introductory Presentation	Complete the Pre-Engagement Planning Worksheet	Understand basics of patient engagement and pre-engagement planning steps
				Prepare to engage patients in QI project(s)
		Patient Engagement in QI Toolkit	Identify possible solution(s) for the issue	Select possible solution(s)
Month 3	Patient Engagement Planning & Start Engaging	Patient Engagement in QI Toolkit	Complete the Patient Engagement Worksheet	Identify specific engagement opportunities for patients
			Recruit/invite patients to engage	Begin recruitment for engagement
Months 4 & 5	Engage Patients as You Continue Your QI Project	Patient Engagement in QI Toolkit	Proceed through QI Steps Do-Check-Act	Adapt QI goals or project outcomes based upon patients’ inputs
			Include patients in appropriate QI steps	Improve systems, workflows, and care experiences
Month 6	Project Wrap-up & Next Steps	QI handout	Wrap-up or plan conclusion of QI project(s)	Complete QI project
		Patient Engagement in QI Toolkit	Identify and discuss lessons learned, celebrate successes, and thank participating patients	Document any benefits or challenges of: project, patient contributions, and trainings
				Publicly and privately appreciate patients’ contributions
			Talk with team about next steps after conclusion of formal project	Communicate next steps