An overview of progress, for medium- to large agencies

The on-line version of the Pizazz - which we call the PIE Abacus [1] - now offers a more effective means to get a picture of progress and of any obstacles in services' provision, whether locally or more broadly.

With the on-line software, users or 'contributors' [2] in services across the whole country, if need be, can in-put their own self-assessment to a central on-line hub; and they can then share their views on what works, and what needs more work, with colleagues.

 

The All-agency overview

At 'Head Office', this can be used to produce an overview of how the organisation as a whole is performing. Here, the analytical tools that the software offers may be particularly attractive - and hopefully more cost effective.

Team-level assessments  can then be gathered and analysed for a more in-depth view of patterns and progress, for example on a locality basis (eg: ‘all our services in the South West’, or ‘in Newcastle’) or on a specialism basis (eg: ‘all our youth projects’), or in terms of setting (eg: ‘all our accommodation-based services’).

 

Trouble shooting, buddying, and individual Abacuses

You can also use this overview to identify problematic areas for particular services, and use the peer review stage, and/or other internal communities of practice forums, to support any agencies that are struggling.

But where appropriate [3], you can also have additional Abacuses for individual in-put - middle managers, and specialist staff, whose work may spans several different areas and teams; and perhaps the full staff team of some more specialist services.

 

It's not the score, it's the process, that matters

NB: As with Pizazz on paper, it is still the discussions within the staff team that are the most valuable parts of the process. But the two are designed to work together[3], using the same language and criteria, and the same stages to work through the process. This is not merely a happy accident or spin off, but central to the whole approach.

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[1] See Why is it called the PIE Abacus?: HERE.

[2] NB: a 'user' here means not a 'service user' but the person who uses the PIE Abacus. Nevertheless one of the attractive features of the PIE Abacus IS the option to have enhanced user involvement. See Service users-led PIE assessments:  HERE

[3] For more on the value, in some circumstances, of having the option of individuals as 'contributors' see: FAQs, HERE

The simplest, most effective way to evaluate and improve your PIE from Daniel O'Brien on Vimeo.

 

PIElink pages

The PIE Abacus - an on-line Pizazz (summary) : HERE

What are people saying about the PIE Abacus? : HERE

Costs and sustainability : HERE

Use and terms of use : HERE

Ambition and modesty : HERE

A single framework : HERE

Customising the PIE Abacus : HERE

 

Essential background for PIE leads

The PIE Abacus range - an introduction for PIE leads : HERE

 

For applications in particular settings, see:

The PIE Abacus – in medium to large agencies : HERE

The PIE Abacus – in local practice networks : HERE

The PIE Abacus – in smaller 'stand alone' services : HERE

The PIE Abacus – as a research tool : HERE

The PIE Abacus – in communities of practice : HERE

The PIE Abacus – in service user-led assessments : HERE

The PIE Abacus – with services using PIEs1 : HERE 

 

All PIE Abacus FAQs : HERE