Action Plans

The term “action plans” refers to specific actions that respond to short- and longer-term strategic objectives. Action plans include details of resource commitments and time horizons for accomplishment. Action plan development represents the critical stage in planning when strategic objectives and goals are made specific so that effective, organization-wide understanding and deployment are possible. In the Criteria, deployment of action plans includes creating aligned measures for all departments and work units. Deployment also might require specialized training for some staff members or recruitment of personnel.

An example of a strategic objective for a health system in an area with an active business alliance focusing on cost and quality of care might be to become the low-cost provider. Action plans could entail designing efficient processes to optimize length of hospital stays, reduce the rework resulting from patient injuries and treatment errors, analyze resource and asset use, and analyze the most commonly encountered DRGs with a focus on preventive health in those areas. Deployment requirements might include training for all department/work unit care givers in setting priorities based on costs and benefits. Organizational-level analysis and review likely would emphasize process efficiency, cost per patient, and health care quality.

See also definitions for: "strategic objectives"; strategic advantages"; and "strategic challenges"