Sarah is facing multiple competing demands as she prepares for a CQC inspection while leading her community nursing team.

Not all tasks carry equal weight.

Using the Pareto principle, your role is to identify the small number of actions that will generate the greatest overall impact and improvement in patient safety, team wellbeing, and inspection readiness.

Remember:

• 80 percent of outcomes often come from 20 percent of effort
  • High impact actions address root causes, not just symptoms
  • Strategic choices protect patient safety, staff wellbeing and inspection readiness

How to complete the activity Read through the full task list carefully before selecting anything. Ask yourself: Which actions influence the greatest number of outcomes? Which tasks improve safety, sustainability and team capacity? Which tasks reduce pressure rather than add to it? Select the TWO actions that represent the highest impact 20 percent of Sarah’s effort. When you are confident in your choices, click Check. Review the feedback and reflect on your reasoning.

A helpful reminder

• Busy does not always mean effective.
• The Pareto method helps leaders focus on leverage rather than volume.
• Your goal is not to choose the tasks that feel most urgent.
• Your goal is to choose the tasks that will change the system.