An introduction to product line management

Management by product line has been used successfully in the manufacturing industry for decades. As the healthcare industry evolves, implementation of Product Line Management is emerging as one strategy to increase efficiency, effectiveness, and profitability. Product Line Management is an organizational scheme and alternative management system for focusing on the programmatic scope of operations in order to achieve particular objectives. Product Line Management in a hospital setting requires deviation from linear functional management paradigms to a reorganization in thinking that focuses on end-result objectives. This management structure recognizes the need to integrate operational and clinical management in response to market-driven forces from both the standpoint of packaging products for the marketplace and appropriate management of those products to improve organizational effectiveness and profitability. However, a "test of time" is necessary to evaluate whether Product Line Management has a positive impact on clinical intervention and outcome. Although Product Line Management seems to be a method to increase profitability, its effect on the quality of client care remains unclear. Speech-language pathologists and audiologists need to be well informed about Product Line Management in the healthcare industry, and should prepare for the possibility of participating within such a framework. Finally, speech-language pathologists and audiologists need to examine and consider their particular qualifications for assuming leadership within such a structure.