Successful Strategic Planning: The Board’s Role

About the Author:
Gene J. O’Dell is Vice President, Strategic & Business Planning for the American Hospital Association and Vice President, Development & Operations for the Center for Healthcare Governance. John R. Combes, M.D. is President and Chief Operations Officer of the Center for Healthcare Governance. This publication was adapted from a chapter they originally wrote for Governance for Healthcare Providers, published by Productivity Press.

Overview:
This publication covers the basics of strategic planning, including definitions of common terms, a description of the planning process and the characteristics of successful plans. It describes the board’s role in planning, including why plans fail, common weaknesses and how boards can support successful plan implementation.

This publication is adapted from a chapter on strategic planning that originally appeared in Governance for Health Care Providers. Throughout, it highlights the unique contributions and perspectives of provider trustees, such as physicians, nurses and other health professionals, and how all trustees can work together to help turn successful plans into action.

The information contained here can be used in a variety of ways: as part of new board member orientation, as preparation for trustees who participate in their organization’s strategic planning process and as a resource for trustees who are members of or who desire to chair a board’s strategic planning committee. It also can be a valuable resource for a board and leadership retreat focused on identifying strategic issues or setting strategic direction or priorities.

In an era of health care reform, hospitals and boards that understand emerging issues and alternatives and engage in a systematic process to evaluate and plan for their impact are most likely to identify and capitalize on opportunities for success. The information and tools provided in this publication can help equip hospital boards and leaders to achieve strategic advantage in a changing environment.

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For more information or to order, contact the Center at 888-540-6111 or email at info@americangovernance.com