Introduction

PKB’s implementation methodology is a framework supported by tools and techniques that allow us to take a consistent approach to PKB deployments, defining our work with customers and how we do it. Using a common model across all of our deployments allows us to digest and understand their progress more clearly, learn lessons more easily and improve our deployment practices more efficiently, benefiting our customers and users.

There are two main core components of the methodology: workstreams and milestones. There are three key periods of implementation: Mobilisation (which typically lasts 30 days), Deployment, and Business as Usual (BAU).

Every organisation’s deployment will have a dedicated Success Team Member whose role is to guide and support the organisation through the whole lifecycle of the project. 

Mobilisation Period

We aim to have Information Governance documentation signed with our customers before the contract is signed. 

We begin the Record Creation and Integrations workstream in earnest and aim to have scoped the work, outlined key deliverables of the feed and performed a connectivity test. 

If required, we initiate the conversations to switch on PKB within the NHS App by connecting with the relevant regional contacts and scheduling calls with NHS E and the organisation. 

Additionally, we focus on scoping the deployment, understanding the organisational benefits, and confirming the PKB and customer-side resources available to be assigned to this project.

By the end of this 30-day period, the organisation and PKB can sign off the Project Initiation Document and Project Plan to begin working towards the deployment period. 

Deployment Period

When the organisation signs off on the project plan,  PKB considers the deployment to have moved into the deployment period. The key work begins and PKB is delivered within the organisation during this period.  

This period contains all of the work for each workstream that needs to be doneto consider PKB 'live' within the healthcare setting. This means IG documents have been signed, records created, data in those records, registration routes live, communications delivered, training conducted, support routes established, clinical teams live and benefits tracking in place.

There are many moving parts and we can break this period down into two major stages. There are 'Org-level' milestones, which should be completed before we move to the clinical 'Team-level' milestones. 

Business as Usual 

The BAU Period provides a focus by giving organisations and PKB 

PKB is considered to be at BAU in the organisation if they are managing PKB without the support given in the Deployment Period from the Success PM. This means they should be sending a variety of data to patients, live in multiple teams, benefits are being tracked, and crucially, the organisation is capable of conducting additional clinical team rollouts.

Workstreams

Open

PKB breaks down the deployment tasks into eight equally important workstreams, allowing activities to be planned and progress to be tracked for each.

PKB and our customers employ specialists who are best placed to collaborate and deliver on certain workstreams, so splitting out the deployment into these categories provides clarity for both teams on what is required for a successful rollout and allows the right personnel and resources to be identified at the earliest opportunity.

As part of establishing project governance, we strongly advise that all workstream leads are members of a project board which regularly meet to scope, plan, and deliver the shared plan of work.

For more information on PKBs workstreams, click here.  Workstreams Overview page for more information.

Milestones

The standard milestones are the key deliverables which all typical PKB customer deployment projects should achieve.

All of the deployment workstreams are represented by these milestones and they span all 3 phases of a deployment.

If all milestones in a customer deployment are achieved, PKB has been successfully delivered, resulting in case studies that demonstrate quantifiable benefits for the customer and users.

Please note: milestones deadlines shown are indicative

Mobilisation Period - 30 days

• Contract signed

• Completion of IG 

• Project Governance Confirmation

• Record Creation and Integrations workstream initiation & configuration

• ICS NHS App Switch on Initiation 

• Confirmation of benefits and outcomes

• Sign off of PID - both customer and PKB SRO/project teams

Deployment Period

3-4 months after mobilisation period

• Mass record creation complete

• Organisational go live

• Demographics integration live

• Appointment integration live

• Document integrations live

• First mass registration campaign started

• NHS app switched on

• Org-level training complete

• Pre-comms delivered

• Ongoing comms campaign live

• Support team live

• Benefits tracking established

4 months after mobilisation period

• Clinical team 1 live

• BAU Mass registration continuing

• Radiology integrations live

• Pathology integration live

5 months after mobilisation period

• Clinical team 2 live

6 months after mobilisation period

• Clinical team 3 live

• Review of registration pathways

• Review of benefits for team 1

7 months after mobilisation period

• Review of benefits for team 2

8 months after mobilisation period

• Review of benefits for team 3

Business As Usual 

10 months after contract signature

• Case studies created

• Review of registration pathways

12 months after contract signature

• Review of Organisational Benefits 

Adapting for local contexts

In some instances, PKB may need to adjust the standard structure above for customer deployments. We recognise that customer organisations have their own methodologies, terminology and approaches to delivery.

PKB aims to offer as much support as is needed for any particular customer, fully 'owning' the project management when required, collaborating as equal partners or feeding into a customer's plans. PKB focuses on aligning expectations and delivering shared goals, agreeing at the earliest stages how best to work together to achieve this.