Subpractices

Subpractices are subordinate or specialized components of a broader practice, policy, or methodology. They describe concrete actions, procedures, or rules that implement a higher-level practice in a specific context or domain. Subpractices help organizations tailor general practices to local requirements while maintaining alignment with overarching objectives.

Subpractices derive their purpose from the parent practice but may vary in scope, rigor, or focus. They are typically defined to address particular activities, environments, or roles and are often codified in standards, standard operating procedures, or process guides. Effective use requires clear linkage to the parent practice and explicit ownership, measurement, and review mechanisms.

Examples span multiple domains. In software development, an overarching practice such as software engineering may include subpractices like requirements elicitation, design reviews, code inspection, version control, continuous integration, and testing. In healthcare, clinical practice guidelines may include subpractices for informed consent, patient safety checklists, and documentation. In project management, risk assessment, stakeholder communication, and change control can function as subpractices under a broader project management practice. In manufacturing, a quality management practice may include subpractices for process capability analysis, defect investigation, and corrective action.

Benefits and challenges: Subpractices provide specificity, enable consistent execution, and support measurement, accountability, and benchmarking. However, excessive fragmentation, duplication of effort, or misalignment with the parent practice can reduce coherence. Regular review and harmonization are important.

Implementation considerations include defining scope and performance criteria, assigning owners, documenting mappings to goals, and monitoring outcomes. Align with organizational standards and provide training and resources as needed.