Building a strategic technology management program

Strategic technology management decisions are one of the best opportunities for healthcare providers to positively meet clinical needs, patient expectations and competitiveness goals. Technology management must not be treated as an event (annual capital budgeting) but as a well-thought-out, long-range business plan. A strategic technology management team should be formed that includes all the key strategic business areas, plus ad hoc members from the clinical and biomedical engineering areas. Current and future needs should be assessed and the performance of the plan monitored. A plan will help achieve buy-in from clinicians and reduce unwarranted expenditures on technology.