Capstone – Project

Process Optimization for Organ Transplant, Recovery Teams and Surgeons

A Collaboration Between

Project Synopsis

Overview

LifeGift is looking to optimize its Organ Donation process by researching, prioritizing, and analyzing key issues surrounding operations at LifeGift. The consultant will gain an understanding of LifeGift and the Organ Donation ecosystem as a whole. The consultant is expected to interview several stakeholders to identify key pain points and areas of opportunity for LifeGift to improve its processes and operations.
 

Specific Gaps & Issues to keep in mind:

 
  • There is a key visualization gap
  • Time delays (Scheduling + Surgeon Time Waste)
  • Transportation Failure

Project Topics

Operations

Company Information

CompanyLifeGift
HQTexas
RevenueUnlisted
Employees100-500
StageMedium Business
Hiring PotentialFollow-on Projects, Formal Internship, Entry Level Full-Time, Upper Level Full-Time
Websitehttps://www.lifegift.org/

Company Overview

LifeGift offers hope to the thousands of people in Texas and beyond who need lifesaving organ transplants, and to countless others who need lifesaving tissue transplants. As the designated organ procurement organization (OPO) for North, Southeast and West Texas, we partner with more than 200 hospitals across 109 counties. Established in 1987 as Gulf Coast Independent Organ Procurement Organization, LifeGift is approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and accredited by the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO) and the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB).

Experiential Learning Program Details

SchoolHarvard University
Engagement FormatCapstone - Small Team Consulting Project - Students work in consulting teams of 3-5 directly with faculty and client liaisons on developing real solutions to real-world challenges.
Course
LevelN/A
Students EnrolledN/A
Meeting Day & TimeN/A
Student Time Commitment1-3 Hours Per Week
Company Time Commitment1 Hour
Duration21.71 Weeks

Program Timeline

Touchpoints & Assignments Due Date Type

Key Project Milestones

  • October 16, 2020 - Immersion & Orientation

    Immersion and Understanding of the Organ Transplant and Donation Ecosystem

    The goal is to gain a deep understanding of:

    • Terminology used in the Organ Transplant and Donation field (including language that is specific to LifeGift)
    • The organ procurement transplant network such as Donors, Procurement Methods, Transplant Groups
    • Geography and system that LifeGift works in to gain a baseline
    • Policies that must be adhered to (OPCAN?) as they relate to transportation

    Suggested Deliverable:

    The consultant will provide an executive summary including observations & questions based on research done to this point.

  • November 13, 2020 - Virtual Discovery Interview

    The consultant will conduct Discovery Interviews with the following groups/individuals to understand processes, pain points, and specific situations and problems.

    Strategic Leaders (minimum 4 interviews):

    • XXX

     

    Operations (minimum 4 interviews):

    • Performance Operations
    • Organ Operations
    • Quality Systems
    • Performance Improvement

     

    Front Line Resources (minimum 4 interviews):

    • XXX

     

    Organ Placement Center ‘Nerve Center’ (minimum 2 interviews)

    • Interview 1: With the Managing Director for a specified area
    • Interview 2: Observational interview to listen into Organ Offers and Cases

    Suggested Deliverable:

    The consultant will synthesize interview data and provide an executive summary including observations to prioritize optimization efforts in upcoming milestones.

     

    Action: Consultant to schedule a meeting with LifeGift and CapSource to share executive summary and discuss next steps based on final prioritization of consultants findings.

  • November 30, 2020 - Optimization Analysis - Business Model, Metrics, and Finances

    Specific Focus Area to be decided after completion of Milestones 1 & 2.

     

    Interview with LifeGift CFO

    • Plan to discuss findings from Milestone 2 and dig into the numbers to determine cost savings, improved efficiency, and process improvement based on data and knowledge of the CFO
    • Use this opportunity to refine knowledge of identified issues and pain points to help prioritize focus for Milestone 4

     

    Interview with Performance Improvement Group

    • Understanding transportation modes through the process, volume, activity, and cost (i.e. How many times do you have a flight that gets canceled or delays and standby fees must be paid… How do you solve for this?)

    Suggested Deliverable:

    The consultant will provide an analysis of time delays, observations, opportunities for improvement and a selection will be made to create a detailed Business Case and Action Plan for one of the recommended items the Consultant identified in previous milestones.

Project Resources

There are no resources currently available

Industry Mentors

There are currently no supervisors assigned.

Academic Mentors

Instructor

Scott 

[email protected]

Instructor

Kristen Beech 

[email protected]

Instructor

Bob Evans 

[email protected]

Assigned Students

Student

Oliver Nwofia

[email protected]