Mini course · Advanced level
Strategic Planning for Healthcare Departments
Set a clear direction for your department and turn it into priorities your team can deliver.
What is Strategic Planning for Healthcare Departments?
Department leaders are increasingly expected to plan beyond the next roster or budget. Strategic planning connects a department's direction to organisational goals, patient needs and available resources. This course covers environmental and stakeholder analysis, SWOT, setting vision and strategic objectives, prioritising initiatives, translating strategy into an annual operating plan, balanced scorecard measures and communicating the plan.
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Lessons
- 5
- Level
- Advanced
- Format
- Online, self-paced
What you'll be able to do
- Analyse a department's internal and external environment
- Conduct a SWOT analysis for a described service
- Write strategic objectives aligned with organisational goals
- Prioritise initiatives using impact and effort criteria
- Translate strategy into an annual operating plan
- Monitor strategy using balanced scorecard measures
Who this course is for
Course content
5 lessons · 2 hours total · free preview available
1Why Departments Need Strategy
20 minFree preview· Course content
Why Departments Need Strategy
From firefighting to direction.
2Understanding Your Environment
24 min· Course content
Understanding Your Environment
Available after you enroll.
3Setting Direction
24 min· Course content
Setting Direction
Available after you enroll.
4From Strategy to Action
26 min· Course content
From Strategy to Action
Available after you enroll.
5Measuring and Communicating
26 min· Course content
Measuring and Communicating
Available after you enroll.
Earn a credential employers can check
Every AIHCM credential has a unique ID that anyone can verify online in seconds.
Issued: on completion
How it works
- Finish all 5 lessons at your own pace.
- Get your digital credential with a unique ID.
- Share it — employers can verify it at aihcm.us.
Questions people ask
Is it only for senior executives?
No. It is designed for department and service-line leaders.
How long should a department strategy cover?
Typically three to five years, with an annual operating plan.
Are templates included?
Yes, including a full strategic plan template.
What should I take before this?
From Clinician to Manager and Healthcare Finance for Non-Finance Managers are useful foundations.