Introducing ISN's Introduction to Improvement Syllabus Project

Around the world, interest is growing in integrating improvement research and collaborative, continuous improvement into new or existing courses across a variety of educational programs. To respond to this need, the Improvement Scholars Network (ISN) launched the Introduction to Improvement Syllabus Blueprint Project, under the leadership of ISN colleagues Erin Anderson (University of Denver), Samantha Viano (George Mason University, and Max Yurkofsky (Radford University).

Exploring the Introduction to Improvement Syllabus Blueprint

Available using this link, the product of the Introduction to Improvement Syllabus Project is an adaptable, flexible syllabus blueprint that supports faculty and instructors in integrating improvement research and collaborative, continuous improvement into university-based courses and programs. The syllabus blueprint:
    • Is intended to be relevant to multiple kinds of learners, including Certificate, Master’s, EdD, PhD, and other undergraduate and graduate courses and programs.
    • Was designed for optionality to ensure that the syllabus blueprint can contribute to your course.
    • Is organized around five central units that align with a general “practice architecture” common across many approaches to improvement research, allowing for the integration of multiple approaches to improvement research.
    • Was developed with multiple lessons within each unit, including discussion questions, resources and activities to apply to one’s own context, and an anchoring case that can be woven throughout the units.
Syllabus Project Screenshot

Joining Our Community of Practice

From Spring 2026 through Fall 2026, the ISN will be hosting a monthly Community of Practice (COP) to support faculty and instructors in using the Introduction to Improvement Syllabus Blueprint to develop and teach their own courses. This COP will co-create course activities and share ideas, challenges, and learnings. 

The ISN is eager to support colleagues in advancing improvement research and collaborative, continuous improvement in their institutions! Please feel free to reach out to the ISN and to the project leads with any questions, use this form to express interest in the COP, and keep an eye out for our upcoming newsletters to learn more about getting involved.