• About Improvement Tools
• What are the benefits?
• How do I use the tools?
• Who has access?
• Content provider: GoodPractice
• NHS Tools

About Improvement Tools

Improvement Tools comprises a suite of management tools designed to provide practical support to professionals across local government and its partners. 

Each resource can be used to:

• help managers with day-to-day activities
• support personal development
• work with their team to improve effectiveness and performance

What are the benefits?

User research has indicated that Improvement Tools help them to: 

• increase management effectiveness
• raise the bar on performance
• challenge current practices
• encourage continuous improvement
• work smarter

How do I use the tools?

Each toolkit covers a theme essential to improvement and can be accessed from the left navigation bar. You will also need to use the left navigation bar to search the improvement tools.

To access the materials and resources in the toolkit, select the required topic from the list. Each topic is divided into a series of needs, which will enable you to find appropriate material quickly. Each theme is split into:

Knowing resources:

• to help develop your understanding of a subject

Doing resources:

• that enable you to apply this knowledge

Zip files are available to download for all topics and for sections within topics. If you have any questions regarding zip files, please access our zip files FAQs page for further information.

Who has access?

Please note that the Improvement Tools content is only accessible to users with the following email address domains: '.gov.uk', '.nhs.uk', 'nhs.net', '.pnn.police.uk'.

Other public sector organisations, in partnership with local government, with the following mail domains: '.org.uk', ',org', '.co.uk', '.com' - please contact: help@improvementnetwork.gov.uk.

 Access will be granted on a case-by-case basis.

Please encourage your colleagues to register to the access the tools and send your feedback to: feedback@improvementnetwork.gov.uk.

Content provider: GoodPractice

The Improvement Tools content is provided by: GoodPractice.

Survey: GoodPractice

GoodPractice is undertaking research to establish where professionals go for support and what materials they would find most beneficial. It is keen to get a balanced view from both public and private sector so your input to its latest survey would be appreciated.

Access the GoodPractice studies from 2010:

• 'Challenges for Managers' (PDF file, 10 pages, 1.4 MB) - published in May 2010
•  'How Managers Learn' (PDF file, 20 pages, 4.8 MB) - published in January 2010

NHS Tools

NHS Institute: free access to quality and service improvement tools

Improvement Network sponsor, the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement, provides a library of 80-plus quality and service improvement tools to:

• expand your knowledge of tried-and-tested tools and techniques for improving quality and productivity
• successfully engage colleagues and gain senior-level support for your service improvement projects
• identify the most effective tools for each stage of your project
• be confident that your improvement efforts are sustainable

Access more information on these 'Quality Tools'.