Strategic Project Management Made Simple: Practical Tools for Leaders and Teams

Organization Turnaround and Best Practice Example (Fircrest School for the Developmentally Disabled)

Fircrest School for the Developmentally Disabled is a residential home for some 800 adults and children who suffer from serious mental, physical, and emotional developmental disabilities. Fircrest is funded by both the State of Washington and the federal government, and is managed by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.

Several disturbing incidents indicated that residents were not being properly treated and their quality of life was low. There were some unexplained injuries to residents and even one suspicious death. Visiting experts noted an overuse of psychoactive medications and restraints. Quality assurance was lacking. Medical and nursing care records were not timely and accurate. Too many nurses were assigned to administrative duties and too few to resident care and treatments.

Following an audit, federal certification was revoked, along with millions of dollars of federal funding. This presented Fircrest management with a serious problem that needed solving quickly and in the right way. Project manager Katie Cameron used the Logical Framework with her project team to develop a strategy to regain federal certification.

This example reflects a best practice use of LogFrame concepts. In particular, it includes good Measures and Verifications at all levels along with a clear and well-organized work plan (Input level).

Logical Framework for Improving ...