How can organizations demonstrate the importance of the strategic planning process?
No one has a crystal ball, but the best performing organizations develop and execute strategic plans through a well-designed planning process that is both flexible to respond to environmental forces and yet remains true in pursuing the affirmed vision, mission and goals of the organization. Attributes of organizations that embrace strategic planning as a cultural imperative include: • The CEO and/or the chairman primarily drive an organization’s commitment to, and investment in, strategic planning. • Ownership and accountability are demonstrated through aligning management with strategy development and execution. • Trustees are engaged in the planning process so they are better prepared to guide the organization toward achieving success, and to the benefit of the patients and communities they serve. • The strategic and financial planning processes are integrated. • Monitoring the organization’s performance and comparing it with the plan to ensure achievement of the objectives and/or to
