Within the last 10 years, the health care industry has seen big changes, not only in philosophy but also with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. There have been changes in political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental factors that influence strategic planning. Americans desire increased quality patient care, wellness, and prevention programs. Health care organizations are seeing changes in volume and demographics related to their patients, along with labor and technologies related to the health care organization.
For this assignment, select a health care organization from the following list:
- St. David’s HealthcareLinks to an external site.
- American Academy of PediatricsLinks to an external site.
- Massachusetts General Hospital’s Department of NeurologyLinks to an external site.
Imagine you have been selected by the facility’s executive committee to develop a strategic plan that aligns with the organization’s mission and vision. Use critical thinking skills and research current events of your chosen organization to prepare your assignment.
Assignment Instructions
Write a page strategic plan. Your plan must include the elements listed below. Note that the instructions correspond to the grading criteria for this assignment. You may also want to review the performance-level descriptions for each criterion in the scoring guide to see how your work will be assessed:
- Differentiate between strategic management, strategic thinking, strategic planning, and managing strategic momentum.
- Propose one specific analytical tool suitable for use as an adaptive strategy that will be the most effective in helping an organization achieve its strategic plan.
- Propose the manner and provide an example of how the selected analytical tool will be used to support the strategic proposal.
- Research three internal and three external factors that could become barriers to the success of the proposed strategic plan.
- Recommend at least one solution to each of the possible barriers to implementing your proposed strategic plan.
- Determine the specific segment of the market that your organization’s strategic plan will target.
- Recommend the most effective approach to marketing your strategic plan and provide examples.
- Use at least three quality academic resources.
Resources
Expert Solution Preview
Strategic management, strategic thinking, strategic planning, and managing strategic momentum are all related concepts in the field of organizational strategy.
Strategic management refers to the process of setting goals, making decisions, and allocating resources to achieve organizational objectives. It involves analyzing the external environment, identifying opportunities and threats, and formulating strategies to address them. Strategic management is a continuous process that requires monitoring and evaluation of performance to ensure the organization is on track to achieve its goals.
Strategic thinking, on the other hand, is a cognitive process that involves generating and applying insights to create a strategic direction for an organization. It requires creativity, innovation, and the ability to see the big picture. Strategic thinking involves questioning assumptions, exploring new possibilities, and envisioning future scenarios.
Strategic planning is the formalization of the strategic management process. It involves the development of a strategic plan that outlines the organization’s goals, objectives, and strategies for achieving them. Strategic planning typically includes a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats), which helps identify internal and external factors that may impact the organization’s success.
Managing strategic momentum refers to the ongoing effort to sustain and build on the organization’s strategic advantage. It involves aligning resources, capabilities, and processes to ensure the organization can adapt to changes in the competitive environment and maintain its strategic position. Managing strategic momentum requires continuous learning, innovation, and agility.
In summary, strategic management, strategic thinking, strategic planning, and managing strategic momentum are interconnected and essential elements of effective organizational strategy. Each plays a vital role in formulating and executing strategic initiatives to achieve the organization’s mission and vision.
As for selecting an analytical tool suitable for use as an adaptive strategy, one tool that can be effective is scenario planning. Scenario planning involves developing multiple plausible future scenarios and identifying strategies to address each one. This tool helps organizations anticipate and prepare for different potential futures, allowing them to be more adaptable and resilient. By considering various scenarios and their potential implications, organizations can proactively adjust their strategies to navigate changing circumstances successfully.
To support the strategic proposal, scenario planning can be used to assess the potential impact of various internal and external factors. It allows organizations to identify potential barriers and challenges, such as changes in market demand, technological advancements, regulatory changes, or resource limitations. By considering these factors through scenario planning, organizations can develop contingency plans and alternative strategies to address potential barriers and ensure the success of the proposed strategic plan.
In terms of barriers to the success of the proposed strategic plan, internal factors may include resistance to change, lack of resources or expertise, and organizational culture. External factors could include competition, economic conditions, and regulatory requirements.
To overcome these barriers, there are several possible solutions. For example, addressing resistance to change may involve effective communication and change management strategies. Inadequate resources or expertise can be addressed through training and development programs or strategic partnerships. Modifying the organizational culture may require leadership commitment, employee engagement initiatives, and fostering a culture of innovation.
In marketing the strategic plan, it is crucial to identify the specific segment of the market that the organization intends to target. This involves analyzing the market, understanding customer needs and preferences, and segmenting the market based on demographic, geographic, psychographic, and behavioral factors. By selecting a specific target market segment, the organization can tailor its marketing efforts to reach the right audience effectively.
The most effective approach to marketing the strategic plan will depend on various factors, including the target market segment and the organization’s resources. However, some general approaches that can be effective include using digital marketing strategies such as social media marketing, search engine optimization, and content marketing. Additionally, leveraging traditional marketing channels like print, television, and radio can also help reach a broader audience.
In conclusion, developing a strategic plan for a health care organization requires a thorough understanding of strategic management, strategic thinking, strategic planning, and managing strategic momentum. By selecting an appropriate analytical tool like scenario planning, identifying potential barriers to success, proposing solutions, and effectively marketing the strategic plan, the organization can align its mission and vision, adapt to the changing health care landscape, and achieve its strategic objectives.
