Improving the strategic planning process at Alliant Health System

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Organizational Strategy
• Quality Improvement

Background:

• Alliant Health System implemented total quality management (TQM) in 1986.
• Initial TQM efforts lacked a strategic quality planning focus.
• Achieving major organizational objectives necessitated a shift towards strategic planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the evolution of strategic quality planning at Alliant Health System.
• To detail the integration of TQM with strategic objectives.
• To share insights from the perspective of the TQM implementation lead.

Main Methods:

• Initiation of a rigorous strategic planning process in 1989.
• Focus on aligning quality improvement activities.
• Integration of quality goals with financial incentives.

Main Results:

• Achieved alignment of organizational quality improvement efforts.
• Increased management accountability for quality outcomes.
• Successfully integrated quality goals with financial incentives.

Conclusions:

• Strategic quality planning is crucial for achieving major organizational objectives in healthcare.
• The integration of TQM, strategic planning, and financial incentives drives organizational success.
• Continuous improvement in strategic quality planning enhances overall performance.