StrategicPlanningProcess

Purpose of a Strategic Plan

A strategic plan considers mid to long term goals by providing the appropriate strategies, direction, and focus of achieving these goals. The purpose of a strategic plan includes the following:A strategic plan aligns the mission, vision, and plan.It ensures that all stakeholders have the same direction.It assists the organization in managing business risks.

Aligning the Strategic Plan to Mission and Vision Statements

The first step to aligning the strategic plan with the mission and vision statements is to clarify and define these statements (Speziale, 2015). The mission statement defines the organization’s reason of existence.The vision statement describes the organization’s expected outcome.

Aligning the Strategic Plan to Mission and Vision Statements

The strategic plan needs to focus on the outcomes the organization wants to achieve rather than the programs and initiatives in place (Kaplan, 2001). The organization’s limited resources should be distributed to the highly prioritized objectives first. A strategy statement that incorporates the organization’s mission and vision ensures that everyone has the same mindset.

Role of Stakeholders

Inclusion of all stakeholders in the process ensures the effectiveness of a strategic plan. Involvement includes consultations, dialogues, and interviews. Stakeholders from varied fields contribute different perspectives and ideas to the strategic planning process (Ginter, Duncan, & Swayne, 2006).Inclusion encourages a level of commitment and ownership which eventually affects the effectiveness of the strategies. By involving all the stakeholders, quality of the outcome is assured.

Stakeholders

Internal StakeholdersCEO (chief strategist)- determines who participates in the strategic planning process, and ensures that the plan contributes to the organization’s mission and vision. The CEO needs to be a good listener and an active participant in the whole process. Board members-contribute professional support and approval of any plan or changes. Physicians-contribute clinical insights to the plan.

Stakeholders

Employees-they know what it takes to implement a strategic plan since they understand the strengths and weaknesses of the organization. External stakeholders, such as the customers provide insights on the operating environment as well as the future trends of the healthcare industry

Communication Plan

The purpose of a communications plan is to:Provide consistent updates on the progress of the strategic plan process. Involve the employees in various capacities.Ensure that different avenues are used to communicate accurate information, for example, blogs, memos, face-to-face conversations.

Communication Plan

An effective communication plan considers the following:Content- accurate and timely information. The date should be included.Medium-people prefer different media of communication, therefore, different forms should be incorporated in the communications strategy. Purpose- a communication plan ensures that the plan is implemented smoothly through the cooperation of different stakeholders.

Communication Plan

Audience-each stakeholder should receive information relevant to them. Changes- the revision history ensures that the changes made during the strategic planning process are well documented.

References

Ginter, P. M., Duncan, J., & Swayne, L. E. (2006). The Strategic Management of Healthcare Organizations. Oxford: John Wiley & Sons.Kaplan, R. S. (2001). Strategic performance measurement and management in nonprofit organizations. Nonprofit management and Leadership, 11(3), 353-370.Speziale, G. (2015). Strategic management of a healthcare organization: engagement, behavioural indicators, and clinical performance. European Heart Journal Supplements, 17(suppl_A), A3-A7.