Strategic Planning in an Age of Uncertainty:: Creating Clarity in Uncertain Times

Abstract

In today’s rapidly evolving health care environment, continuing business as usual or tinkering with existing approaches will leave an organization underprepared for the emerging challenges of the future. A systematic and thoughtful strategic planning process can ensure that the organization understands the confluence of emerging trends, envisions a positive future, determines a direction for success, and executes a course of action to attain the desired outcomes. Yet all too often, strategic planning processes fail to deliver value to the organization. This article offers evidence-based guidance on how to conduct strategic planning including understanding the future, determining the direction, and executing the plan. In today’s rapidly evolving health care environment, continuing business as usual or tinkering with existing approaches will leave an organization underprepared for the emerging challenges of the future. A systematic and thoughtful strategic planning process can ensure that the organization understands the confluence of emerging trends, envisions a positive future, determines a direction for success, and executes a course of action to attain the desired outcomes. Yet all too often, strategic planning processes fail to deliver value to the organization. This article offers evidence-based guidance on how to conduct strategic planning including understanding the future, determining the direction, and executing the plan. Marla J. Weston, RN, PhD, FAAN, is chief executive officer at Weston Consulting, LLC, in Washington, DC. She can be reached at [email protected]