Training activity information
Details
Draft a business case or application for funding for an innovation to the department, e.g. a new way of working or a new piece of equipment
Type
Developmental training activity (DTA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee.
Reflection on the activity at one or more time points after the event including learning from the activity and/or areas of the trainees practice for development.
An action plan to implement learning and/or to address skills or knowledge gaps identified.
Considerations
- Organisation documentation and processes
- Options appraisal
- Cost benefit analysis
- Financial implications, including commissioning and charitable funds
- Managed service contracts
- Departmental networks and relationships to support and develop innovation
Reflective practice guidance
The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.
Before action
- What constitutes a strong business case or funding application within the NHS context?
- What are the key elements that need to be included (e.g., problem statement, proposed solution, cost analysis, benefits, implementation plan)?
- Are there any templates or guidelines available within the department or organisation?
- Consider the specific insights you hope to gain from engaging with this activity, such as how to identify a need for innovation, how to develop a compelling argument for change, and how to present financial and practical considerations effectively. Think about what you already know about business planning or funding processes.
- Discuss potential innovations or funding needs with your training officer and other relevant colleagues to gain clarity of understanding and identify a suitable topic. Research best practices for writing business cases or funding applications. Consider possible challenges you might face in gathering data, justifying costs, or demonstrating benefits. Identify how you feel about developing business-related documents.
In action
- Pay attention to your actions. How are you structuring the business case or funding application?
- What information are you prioritising and why?
- What decisions are you making as you write (e.g., how to present the problem, justify the need, estimate costs, and articulate benefits)?
- Are you adapting your language and focus for the intended audience?
- What aspects of drafting the document feel intuitive (e.g., describing the innovation), and what requires more conscious effort (e.g., calculating return on investment or aligning with strategic objectives)?
- How effective are your actions in creating a clear, compelling, and well-supported business case or funding application?
- Are you encountering any roadblocks in accessing necessary information or data?
- What challenges are you facing during the drafting process?
- Are you struggling to articulate the benefits, justify the costs, or address potential risks?
- What can you learn from this drafting process as it unfolds?
- Are you gaining a better understanding of the financial and strategic considerations involved in service development?
- How does this activity connect to your existing knowledge of financial/business aspects within a healthcare setting?
- Does it highlight any gaps in your understanding?
- Are there alternative ways you could present the information or structure the argument?
- Could you include more visual aids or focus on different aspects of the innovation?
- Would it be helpful to get feedback from colleagues or review examples of successful business cases/funding applications?
- Is your business case or funding application aligned with departmental and organisational priorities?
On action
- What was the innovation (new way of working or piece of equipment) that your business case or funding application focused on?
- What were the key sections and arguments presented in your draft?
- What information or data did you use to justify the need for the innovation and its potential benefits?
- What potential challenges or risks did you identify and how did you address them?
- What did you learn about the process of developing a business case or funding application within a healthcare setting?
- What skills in problem-solving, strategic thinking, financial justification, and persuasive writing did you develop or improve?
- Were there any unexpected challenges in gathering information or articulating the benefits of the innovation?
- What did you learn from these?
- What areas for continued development have been identified in your ability to develop business cases or funding applications?
- How can you apply the learning from this activity to future opportunities for service improvement or innovation?
- What specific actions or ‘next steps’ will you now take to refine your draft or seek feedback?
- What support or resources might you need to further develop your understanding of the financial and strategic aspects of healthcare management?
Beyond action
- Review your initial reflect-on-action notes about the innovation, your business case/funding application, and any feedback you received. Have your views on the feasibility or impact of the innovation changed over time?
- Have you been involved in other business case or funding applications since this DTA? How did this earlier experience influence your approach?
- Have you discussed the process of developing a business case with colleagues or mentors? Did their insights offer any new understanding?
- How has this activity enhanced your understanding of the financial and business aspects relevant to the delivery and development of an effective histopathology service?
- Have you applied the skills learned in this activity, such as problem definition, justification of need, and persuasive writing, in other contexts?
- Consider how understanding the process of business case development might be relevant to future discussions about resource allocation or service improvement within the department.
- Recognise the transferable skills developed, such as strategic thinking, financial awareness, and the ability to articulate a compelling argument. How might these skills be valuable in future leadership or management roles?
- Identify actions for continued development in your understanding of business planning and financial management within healthcare.
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 5 |
Outcome
Evaluate equipment and methods to ensure the continued delivery and development of an effective histopathology service. |