The Four Quadrants of Change

Module Purpose

The purpose of this module is to:

• Help us identify and address the different aspects of change that we can influence in our individual practices, our organizations, and the systems we are part of.

• As you go through the training modules, keep in mind these different strategies within each of the four quadrants for effective systems change.

This module is provided by Trauma Transformed as part of the Contra Costa Network of Care.

Purpose | Overview | Self-Assessment | Case Example | Spheres of Influence

 Overview

The four quadrants of change provides a framework for the subjective and objective factors at the individual and organizational level that support and sustain a trauma-informed system.

Objective factors can be easily seen and measured (financials, staff trained, policies, procedures, etc.).

Subjective factors are less "visible" (purpose, values, passion, alignment, etc.).

Each quadrant is equally important for creating and sustaining system change. To create lasting change, all quadrants require consideration and action. 

Purpose | Overview | Self-Assessment | Case Example | Spheres of Influence

 4 Quadrants Analysis Self-Assessment

Click here to download a template.

Divide a piece of paper or a word document into 4 quadrants and label each quadrant as follows:

• Quadrant 1 (Q1): Self

• Quadrant 2 (Q2): Skills

• Quadrant 3 (Q3): Culture

• Quadrant 4 (Q4): Environment 

List current activities to create or sustain change under their corresponding quadrant: 

• Q1: Activities focused on individual (staff, client) value, meaning, and purpose 

• Q2: Activities focused on skill development 

• Q3: Activities focused on culture 

• Q4: Activities focused on environment 

Review your list to see if there is balance across quadrants.

1. Are there any quadrants that have lots of activities?

2. Are any quadrants lacking activities? 

For quadrants where activities may be lacking, brainstorm ways to ensure equal focus across quadrants. 

Purpose | Overview | Self-Assessment | Case Example | Spheres of Influence

 4 Quadrants Self-Assessment Example

County Family Clinic was planning to administer the PEARLS ACE screening for all families during child well visits. They wanted to make sure that the PEARLS screening was conducted in a trauma-informed way and that those that screen for a high ACE score were connected to resources and supports. They conducted a Four Quadrants analysis to make sure they were considering the objective and subjective aspects of change.

They noted the following activities: 

When the team at County Family Clinic reviewed their quadrant chart they noticed they had no intentional activities focused on the clinic culture. They decided to brainstorm and identify ways to support trauma-informed and healing clinic culture, with a focus on supporting psychological safety so that staff felt comfortable in bringing up any obstacles or challenges in administering PEARLS, talking with patients about ACEs and buffers, and connecting patients with supports, as well as being able to talk with a mentor or supervisor about any emotional impacts in their work (such as burnout or vicarious trauma).

Purpose | Overview | Self-Assessment | Case Example | Spheres of Influence

Spheres of Influence

The objective of this activity is to identify ways in which you can be a change agent to generate systems change toward healing and equity. It is intended to be used to help you brainstorm and identify areas that are important to you. 

Click here to download a template.

Priority Area(s) 

These are the areas where I would like to focus system change efforts: 

Control

These are the things we can manage, change or have some control over — our awareness, reactions, communications, and behaviors. These are also the things we can do in our job given our positions. 

At the current moment, I can control or influence the following related to my priority area(s ):

Influence

These are the factors (people, places, spaces, policies, etc.) that we interact with and have networks and/or relationships that we can influence.

In the areas I have influence, I can do the following to influence my priority area(s): 

Name

These are the factors( people, places, spaces, policies, etc. ) that I can name that play a role in supporting or hindering healing:

These are the area(s) that I can name that are important for creating or sustaining system change: 

Purpose | Overview | Self-Assessment | Case Example | Spheres of Influence