Template 6.3.1: Service Design – Option Generation and Appraisal
Purpose
This template enables you to present options in relation to the design or re-design
of your Service Operational Model (see Template 6.2.3 which outlines the current
description of your service). The components of the model are outlined in this template.
The advantages and disadvantages of possible options are explored. They are then
assessed in line with agreed design principles, alignment with the change objectives
and in relation to ease of implementation. Based on this analysis a preferred option can
be presented for consideration by the team and key stakeholders. In some instances
you may be re-designing an element of your service, in which case you can decide
what part(s) of the template are most relevant. Remember, however, to maintain a focus
on how these changes will impact on other parts of your service and other services that
you interact with.
Please refer to Section 4: Design in the Change Guide (pages 72 to 85) for suggested
service design principles and other helpful guidance.
How to use it?
Use one Template per option under consideration (label as A, B or C, etc.)
1. Describe the operational model option in broad details – use the components
of the Service Operational Model in the template below as prompts.
2. Outline the advantages and disadvantages of this option.
3. Assess the option in terms of alignment with the design principles identied
(rate 1-4).
4. Rate the option in terms of alignment to your change objectives (rate 1-4).
5. Rate the option in terms of ease of implementation (rate 1-4).
6. Summarise your ndings and compare with other options in order to reach
a position on your preferred option.
Option A or B or C, etc.
Step 1: Generate option description. Broad description of the option – see prompts below re. components of the Service Operational Model.
People’s Needs Defining Change Health Services Change Guide
Components of the Service Operational Model
Model of care or service provision Human resources
Governance and leadership arrangements Quality, patient safety and measurement
Pathways and processes of care Infrastructure (including e-health and ICT)
Business processes Resource requirements
Step 2: Option appraisal – advantages and disadvantages
Advantages Disadvantages
People’s Needs Defining Change Health Services Change Guide
Template 6.3.1: Service Design – Option Generation and Appraisal (continued)
Step 3: Alignment to design principles (higher score signals greater alignment to design principles)
Criteria Design option does not
align with any of the design
principles
Design option aligns with
less than half of the design
principles
Design option aligns with
more than half of the design
principles
Design option fully aligns with
all of the design principles
Score 1 2 3 4
Tick one score
Step 4: Achievement of change objectives (higher scope signals greater alignment to change objectives)
Score 1 2 3 4
Tick one score
Step 5: Ease of implementation (higher scope signals ‘easier to implement’) (See detailed explanation below for scores 1-4)
Score 1 2 3 4
People impact
Process and system impact
Budget impact
Time to implement
Cost to implement
Step 5: Total the scores and divide by 5, and use the average score to plot on the axis at Step 6 below.
Adapted from: HSE – Office of the Director General of the Health Service (2017) – Developed by PwC and HSE [184]
People’s Needs Defining Change Health Services Change Guide
Template 6.3.1: Service Design – Option Generation and Appraisal (continued)
Ease of implementation (Guidance to assist you to rate ease of implementation)
1 2 3 4
People impact Will fundamentally change the
roles and responsibilities of those
involved in the provision of this
particular service
Will have a significant impact
on the roles and responsibilities
of those involved in the provision
of this particular service
Will have some impact on the
roles and responsibilities of those
involved in the provision of this
particular service
Will have no impact on the roles
and responsibilities of those
involved in the provision of this
particular service
Process and system impact Fundamental changes to the
way this particular service is
managed
Significant changes to the way
this particular service is managed
Some changes to the way this
particular service is managed
No change to the way this
particular service is managed
Budget impact Implementation of the new
operating model will significantly
increase the cost to the health
system of providing this service
Implementation of the new
operating model will increase
the cost to the health system
of providing this service
Implementation of the new
operating model will have no
impact on the cost to the health
system of providing this service
Implementation of the new
operating model will reduce
the cost to the health system
of providing this service
Time to implement Transition will take greater than
3 years
Transition will take between
2 years and 3 years
Transition will take between
1 year and 2 years
Transition will take less than
1 year
Cost to implement Costs associated with
implementation are estimated
to be high
Costs associated with
implementation are estimated
to be moderate
Costs associated with
implementation are estimated
to be low
Costs associated with
implementation are estimated
to be negligible
Source: HSE – Office of the Director General of the Health Service (2017) – Developed by PwC and HSE [184]
People’s Needs Defining Change Health Services Change Guide
Template 6.3.1: Service Design – Option Generation and Appraisal (continued)
Step 6: Evaluation Criteria – Overview
The preferred option emerges from plotting on the matrix below (Achievement of Objectives and Ease of Implementation)
combined with alignment with design principles.
Outcome – preferred option:
Adapted from: HSE – Office of the Director General of the
Health Service (2017) – Developed by PwC and HSE [184]
People’s Needs Defining Change – Health Services Change Guide
Alignment to design principles (see Step 3):
(Note the number score and associated explanation)
Lower benefit,
easier to implement
Higher benefit,
easier to implement
Lower benefit,
more difficult to implement
Higher benefit,
more difficult to implement
EASE OF IMPLEMENTATION
(plotting the average score – see Step 5)
0 1 2 3 4
ACHIEVEMENT OF OBJECTIVES
(plotting the single score ticked – see Step 4)
4 3 2 1 0
People’s Needs Defining Change Health Services Change Guide
Template 6.3.1: Service Design – Option Generation and Appraisal (continued)