Writing a project proposal is an essential skill for leaders. Presenting a proposal to senior executives requires that you identify the problem, the value to the organization from solving the problem, the relevant aspects of the problem, and your recommendations for action. Your recommendations should be conveyed in a concise but thorough manner, retaining the essential information needed by the decision makers.
This assessment provides an opportunity to draft a proposal for your capstone data analysis project and to present the proposal to a healthcare professional.
. Background and Problem Analysis
Define the Problem: Provide a more detailed explanation of the issue. Use concrete data and statistics to demonstrate its scope and impact. Cite any relevant internal reports or national benchmarks.
Root Causes: Analyze the potential causes of the problem. Is it a lack of patient education, a breakdown in care coordination, or something else? Your data analysis project will explore these causes.
Stakeholders Affected: Identify all groups affected by the problem, including patients, frontline staff (nurses, doctors), the organization's financial department, and leadership.
3. Proposed Data Analysis Project
Project Goals: What specific questions will your data analysis project answer? Be precise. For example: "Identify the top 5 factors that contribute to CHF readmission," and "Determine if post-discharge follow-up calls reduce readmission rates."
Methodology: Describe the data you will use (e.g., patient demographics, medical history, discharge instructions, follow-up call logs). Explain the type of analysis you will perform (e.g., statistical analysis, predictive modeling, machine learning).
Project Timeline: Provide a realistic timeline with key milestones.
Required Resources: What do you need to successfully complete this project? This could include access to the EMR system, specific software, or a small budget.
4. Recommendations and Implementation
Sample Answer
Project Proposal: Capstone Data Analysis
1. Executive Summary
Problem Statement: Start with a concise, compelling statement of the problem or issue you have identified within the healthcare organization. For example: "The average 30-day readmission rate for patients with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) at our hospital exceeds the national benchmark, leading to significant financial penalties and poor patient outcomes."
Proposed Solution: Briefly describe the data analysis project you propose to solve this problem. For example: "This project will analyze patient data to identify key predictors of readmission risk and develop a predictive model to flag high-risk patients at discharge."
Value Proposition: State the direct value this project will bring to the organization. For example: "Implementing this model is projected to reduce readmission rates by 15%, saving the hospital an estimated $500,000 annually and improving patient safety."