Managed care strategic planning: the reality of uncertainty

The unpredictable future of the managed care industry has led to strategic planning paralysis in some organizations. The lack of a strategic plan can be damaging to an organization's long-term viability. In developing a managed care strategic plan, an organization should have a basic understanding of its environment and its ability to make changes as indicated by its structure and information system capabilities. If the organization is both strong and flexible in these two areas, it is well positioned to thrive in the turbulent managed care environment. Strategic plans need to consider alternate futures, reinforce the organization's vision, support the organization's long-term financial viability, and incorporate the reality of the industry's uncertain future.