Write a 4 page critical appraisal of an organization’s strategic plan from the perspective of a nurse executive, taking into consideration the organization’s mission, vision, and other contextual factors.
The choice of health care setting as the context for this work is up to you (located in Miami, Florida, USA). You may choose the organization in which you currently work, an organization in which you worked previously, or an organization about which you would like to learn more. You will use this health care organization, and a department or division within the organization, as the basis for the remaining assessments in this course. After choosing your organization, obtain a copy of the organization’s strategic plan. Most large health systems post their strategic plans, visions, and missions on the Internet.
Instructions
Write a critical appraisal of the organization’s strategic plan. Identify strategic priorities and orient yourself to the key performance indicators (KPI) the organization uses to drive quality. Include the quantitative metrics of the scorecard.
Select an organization and analyze their strategic plan.
Approach your analysis from a systems perspective.
What priorities appear to take precedence?
- How well do the priorities align with the mission and vision of the organization?
Evaluate the validity of data and analytical strategies used to develop organizational priorities.
- What data was most likely used to develop key performance indicators (KPIs)?
- For example: patient satisfaction data, 30-day readmission data, other internal performance indicators or external regulatory measures.
- What was the source of the data?
- For example: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), internal data, public health data, financial data.
Explain how input from stakeholders might have been elicited and incorporated into the development of strategic priorities.
- For example, strategic priorities can be developed by the board of directors, elicited from employee focus or patient advocacy groups, or derived from a combination of these approaches.
You may need to interview an organizational stakeholder for this information. If this information is unavailable to you, identify the stakeholders you would approach for their inputs.
- Create a balanced scorecard for an organization.
- Use four standard balanced scorecard domains: 1) financial, 2) customer, 3) internal processes, and 4) learning and growth.
o Include quantitative measures for each domain.
- Are the organization’s strategic priorities balanced, or do one or more priorities receive more emphasis than the others?
- Articulate meaning relevant to the main topic, scope, and purpose of the prompt.
Write with a specific purpose and audience in mind.
- Adhere to scholarly and disciplinary writing standards.
- Proofread your writing to minimize errors that could distract readers and make it more difficult for them to focus on the substance of your appraisal.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
In this critical appraisal, we will analyze the strategic plan of an organization from the perspective of a nurse executive. The organization’s mission, vision, and other contextual factors will be taken into consideration. The chosen health care setting is located in Miami, Florida, USA. This assessment will provide a comprehensive evaluation of the organization’s strategic priorities and the alignment of these priorities with the mission and vision. We will also assess the validity of data and analytical strategies used to develop organizational priorities, and explore how input from stakeholders has been incorporated into the development process. Finally, we will create a balanced scorecard for the organization, evaluating the balance and emphasis of strategic priorities across the four domains.
Answer:
The organization’s strategic plan is critical for guiding the actions and priorities of the healthcare setting. In analyzing the strategic plan, it is important to approach the analysis from a systems perspective, considering the interconnectedness of various healthcare components and departments.
Upon reviewing the strategic plan, it is evident that certain priorities take precedence over others. For example, one of the primary strategic priorities is improving patient safety and quality of care. This aligns well with the mission and vision of the organization, which is committed to providing excellent and safe healthcare services to the community. Another priority that receives emphasis is enhancing patient experience and satisfaction, which is in line with the organization’s goal of delivering patient-centered care.
In evaluating the validity of data and analytical strategies used to develop organizational priorities, it is crucial to consider the source and nature of the data used. For instance, performance indicators such as patient satisfaction data, 30-day readmission data, and other internal performance indicators have likely been used to develop key performance indicators (KPIs). These data sources help identify areas of improvement and enable evidence-based decision making. Furthermore, the organization may have utilized external regulatory measures, such as data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), to benchmark their performance against industry standards.
The input from stakeholders is essential in the development of strategic priorities. By involving stakeholders, the organization can ensure that the plan is aligned with the needs and expectations of various parties. Stakeholders can include the board of directors, employees, patient advocacy groups, and other relevant individuals or organizations. Although specific information regarding stakeholder involvement is unavailable, it is recommended to approach key stakeholders, such as the board of directors and relevant employee groups, to gather their insights and incorporate their perspectives into the strategic planning process.
To assess the balance of strategic priorities, a balanced scorecard can be created for the organization. This scorecard should include quantitative measures for each of the four domains: financial, customer, internal processes, and learning and growth. By evaluating these domains, we can determine if the organization’s strategic priorities are well-balanced or if certain areas receive more emphasis than others. A balanced scorecard allows for a comprehensive assessment of the organization’s performance in different dimensions, ensuring a holistic approach to strategic planning and execution.
In conclusion, the critical appraisal of the organization’s strategic plan highlights the importance of aligning priorities with the mission and vision. Through the use of valid data and analytical strategies, key performance indicators can be developed to drive quality improvement. Input from stakeholders is crucial to ensure the inclusion of diverse perspectives and the creation of a well-rounded strategic plan. A balanced scorecard can effectively measure the organization’s performance across different domains, providing insights into the balance and emphasis of strategic priorities. Through this analysis, the organization can enhance its strategic planning process and improve overall performance.
