Successful strategic planning: creating clarity.

Most healthcare organizations have a strategic plan of some kind. Many of these organizations also have difficulty translating their strategic plan into specific actions that result in successful performance. In the worst cases, this can jeopardize the viability of the organization. The trouble lies in a lack of clarity in what a strategic plan is and what it should do for the organization. This article will answer key questions such as: What is strategy and how does it fit with other commonly used constructs such as mission, vision, and goals? What criteria can be used to determine if something is truly strategic to the organization? What are the phases of the strategy lifecycle? How do approaches for dealing with uncertainty, such as scenario planning, fit with organizational strategic planning? How can a meaningful IT strategy be developed if the organization strategy is lacking? What principles should guide a good IT planning process?