Description
This academic material provides an overview of strategic planning within the context of health services planning and budgeting, designed for tertiary-level students in health administration and management programmes. It defines strategic planning as the process of defining an organization's vision, identifying goals and objectives, and setting the sequence for achieving mid- to long-term goals. The resource outlines the key aspects of strategic planning, including developing a mission statement, setting SMART goals, aligning short and long-term objectives, and incorporating monitoring and evaluation. It further details strategic planning processes such as problem identification through situation analysis and SWOT analysis, prioritization, objective setting, and strategy formulation. This content is essential for university students to understand how to create and implement coherent strategic plans that provide direction and a roadmap for health service organizations. Use these notes to build foundational knowledge for exams and practical application in health systems management.
What's inside
Health Services Planning and Budgeting Strategic Planning What is Strategic Planning? • The process of defining the vision of the organization • Identifying goals and objectives • Setting the sequence of achieving goals • Goals usually mid to long-term • Strategic plan can be adjusted periodically Why Strategic Planning? • Gives an organization direction • Provides goals to work towards • Strategic planning acts as a roadmap to achieve the goals of an organization Aspects of Strategic Planning The Mission • Strategic planning involves developing an organizational mission • The mission represents the purpose and direction of an organization • The mission provides the following; • Describes who the organization is • Outlines what the organization does • States where the organization intends to go Goals • Strategic planning requires setting organizational goals • The goals should be SMART • Specific • Measurable • Achievable • Realistic • Time-bound • The goals should be in line with the mission • Possible to measure performance against goals Aligning short and long term goals • Short term goals and budgets feed into long term goals • Achievement of short term in line with strategic plan • Periodic evaluation of short term goals to ensure no deviation Monitoring and Evaluation • Monitor and evaluate progress in achieving goals • Make revisions if necessary • Important to keep goals up to date with changing environment Some Strategic Planning Processes Problem Identification • Conduct a situation analysis • What is the organization’s current position • Use of existing strategic plan • Conduct a needs assessment • SWOT Analysis • Strengths • Weaknesses • Opportunities • Threats Prioritization • Setting goals in line with organization vision and mission • Prioritize goals • Importance • Relevance • Urgency • Budget and time frame Setting objectives • Purpose driven • Actionable • Measurable • Focus on long term
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