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Introduction to Strategic Planning

• Overview of pharmacy operations management focusing on strategic planning.

• Discusses objectives that include:

  • Planning activities under pharmacy manager's purview (community and institutional).

  • Differences between vision and mission statements as part of strategic planning.

  • Examples and barriers to planning.

Understanding Planning

• Definition: Planning involves purposeful efforts to maximize success and meet customer demands.

• Essential for pharmacy managers, impacting operational aspects from daily to long-term.

• Involvement: All pharmacy employees contribute to the planning process.

Types of Planning in Pharmacy Management

• Business Planning: Detailed strategies for business operations.

• Financial Planning: Budgeting and financial management specific to the level of management.

• Operational Planning: Focused on day-to-day operations; crucial for effective pharmacy management.

• Resource Planning: Budget and inventory management, human resources scheduling.

• Organizational Planning: Placement within a larger organization (chain or institution).

• Strategic Planning: Set long-term goals, assessing current status, and mapping pathways to future success.

The Process of Strategic Planning

• Assess current pharmacy performance and develop actionable plans to reach defined future goals.

• Identifies essential long-term goals and strategies:

  • Example goals for community pharmacy: prescription processing targets, MTM services, immunizations.

• Goals vs Objectives: Goals are broad aims, objectives are measurable steps toward achieving those goals.

• Ensure goals are finite and measurable (ideally 6 or less).

Vision Statement

• Definition: A short statement outlining what the pharmacy aspires to be in the future.

• Serves as motivation for employees and directs strategic planning.

• Example: CVS Caremark's vision to improve the quality of human life.

• Encourage students to create personal vision statements to guide their professional journey.

Mission Statement

• Definition: Outlines the purpose and operations of the pharmacy; where it currently stands vs its future direction.

• Typically longer, providing employee and customer guidance.

• Must differentiate the organization from competitors; specific to community vs institutional pharmacy.

• Elements of a strong mission statement:

  • Identify target customers, core values, services, customer benefits, public image.

Implementation and Monitoring of Strategic Plans

• Implement the strategic plan by ensuring buy-in from all pharmacy staff.

• Continuous evaluation and adaptation of goals and objectives based on measurable outcomes.

• Utilize data collection for ongoing post-implementation analysis.

• Emphasize a cycle of planning, doing, studying outcomes, and acting (continuous quality improvement).

Barriers to Strategic Planning

• Time Constraints: Difficulty scheduling planning sessions without disrupting operations, especially in community pharmacies.

• Interpersonal Issues: Conflicting goals or priorities across staff levels.

• Lack of Planning Skills: Variability in employees' capability to contribute effectively.

• Changing Environment: Irregular shifts in healthcare policies and economics.

• Resource Limitations: Time, personnel, and financial constraints hinder effective planning.

• Administrative Support: Need for buy-in from upper management to ensure successful implementation.

• Resistance to Change: Staff and customer reluctance to adapt to new strategies or processes.

Limitations of Strategic Planning

• Cannot rectify all operational dysfunction; does not guarantee success.

• Intrinsically speculative, based on current data with future uncertainties.

• Data collection may be limited or inaccurate, complicating efficacy assessments.

• Implementation challenges may provoke resistance from employees and customers alike.

Conclusion

• Importance of understanding strategic planning concepts, including vision/mission statements, barriers, and limitations in pharmacy management.

• Encourage proactive engagement in creating effective strategic plans for successful pharmacy operations.

Overview of Planning Activities in Pharmacy and Healthcare Organizations

Q: What is the overview of planning activities occurring in pharmacy and healthcare organizations?A: Planning activities in pharmacy and healthcare organizations involve deliberate efforts to maximize success and meet customer demands, essential for daily operations and long-term objectives. All pharmacy employees participate in the planning process to ensure comprehensive input and effective implementation.

General Process of Planning

Q: What is the general process of planning in pharmacy management?A: The general process of planning involves assessing current performance, setting actionable plans to achieve defined goals, and engaging all staff in the development and execution of these plans, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives.

Strategic Planning and Its Development

Q: What is strategic planning and what specific steps are involved in its development?A: Strategic planning involves setting long-term goals, assessing the current status of the pharmacy, and mapping pathways to future success. Specific steps include:

1. Assessing current pharmacy performance.

2. Identifying essential long-term goals and strategies.

3. Defining measurable objectives to achieve those goals.

4. Implementing the plan and monitoring progress.

Vision Statement vs. Mission Statement

Q: How do you differentiate a vision statement from a mission statement?A: A vision statement outlines what the pharmacy aspires to be in the future and serves to motivate employees. In contrast, a mission statement describes the pharmacy's purpose and operations, focusing on its current standing and future direction. The mission statement is typically longer and provides guidance for employees and customers.

Examples of Strategic Planning in Pharmacy Organizations

Q: Can you provide examples of strategic planning in pharmacy organizations?A: Examples include setting prescription processing targets, developing medication therapy management (MTM) services, and expanding immunization offerings in community pharmacies to better meet health needs.

Barriers and Limitations to Planning

Q: What are the common barriers and limitations to planning in pharmacy organizations?A: Common barriers include:

• Time constraints that disrupt planning sessions.

• Interpersonal issues leading to conflicting priorities.

• A lack of planning skills among employees.

• Changes in healthcare policies and economic conditions.

• Resource limitations, such as time and financial issues.

• Needed support from upper management for implementation.

• Resistance to change from staff and customers.