In response to today’s rapidly changing human services environment, CARF has introduced the ASPIRE to Excellence® quality framework. This practical method for continuous improvement seamlessly integrates all organizational functions and the engaged input of all stakeholders. In this framework, CARF’s business practice standards provide a logical, action-oriented approach to ensure that organizational purpose, planning, and activity result in the desired outcomes.
Assess the Environment. To be relevant and responsive in a rapidly changing environment, the organization must be vigilant of the context in which it conducts its business affairs. The role of leadership is critical to environmental assessment.
Set Strategy. Setting strategy is the activity of understanding the environment and organizational competencies, identifying opportunities and threats, and articulating a high-level map of the direction to take in order to achieve, sustain, and advance organizational purpose in a competitive environment.
Obtain Input. In a service environment, organizational success cannot be achieved or sustained without success for the persons served. Actively engaging the persons served and other stakeholders as part of the planning and service processes has been demonstrated to result in better outcomes. In fact, the more the organization obtains feedback relative to all appropriate organizational functions, the better the outcomes reported. This input process engages all parties in a sense of shared future that promotes long-term organizational excellence and optimal outcomes.
Implement the Plan. The strategic plan, based on a thorough assessment of environmental factors, provides a roadmap to achieving organizational purpose. To actually achieve its purpose, the organization must translate strategic goals into tangible action. Only by setting specific, measurable goals and tracking performance can the organization determine the degree to which it is achieving the desired service and business outcomes.
Effect Change. Following the review and analysis of results, the organization must carefully evaluate the information learned so that it may be translated into focused actions to improve performance against targets. The evaluation drives the organization to engage in a dynamic, proactive process to review, renew, or revise its strategy and tactics, while ensuring alignment of organizational purpose, service and business practices, and organizational resources. Achieving excellence requires a disciplined continuous improvement process.
