Strategic planning involves a variety of intrapersonal and interpersonal skills, and each phase of the process may require different approaches in order to be successful. This Application Assignment asks you to consider what the most critical skills and tools are for strategy formulation.

Prepare for this Application Assignment as follows:

Review the Learning Resources, especially the "Strategy Formulation" and "Human Motivation and Organizational Performance" media segments, as needed. Note the recommendations that you think are most valuable.

Consider the following questions as you do this:

What steps are involved in the formulation of strategy?

How would you ensure that stakeholder input is considered appropriately?

What are some of the major pitfalls that might be encountered during this phase of the process? How would you address them? What factors might promote success?

For this week's Discussion, you were asked to think about what you would do to facilitate the strategic thinking and collaboration required for strategy formulation. Evaluate the ideas that you and your group members discussed. Also analyze the experience you had as part of your Discussion group: What challenges did you encounter in working together? What factors were important for your collaboration?

Look at the "Tool Selector Chart" and browse through the tools in the Memory Jogger 2. Which of the tools included in this book do you think would be most helpful to facilitate strategy formulation?

Finally, select one or more intrapersonal abilities; one or more interpersonal skills; and one or more tools that you think are particularly beneficial for strategy formulation. Consider how you would incorporate stakeholder input and effectively navigate the steps of strategy formulation.

Then write a 1- to 2-page paper that addresses the following:

Describe one or more intrapersonal abilities; one or more interpersonal skills; and one or more tools that are beneficial for strategy formulation. Explain how you would incorporate stakeholder input and effectively navigate the steps of this part of the strategic planning process.

Please us resources

Your written assignments must follow APA guidelines. Be sure to support your work with specific citations from this week's Learning Resources and additional scholarly sources as appropriate. Refer to the Essential Guide to APA Style for Walden Students to ensure your in-text citations and reference list are correct.

Course Text: Brassard, M., & Ritter, D. (2010). Memory jogger 2: Tools for continuous improvement and effective planning. (2nd ed.). Salem, NH: GOAL/QPC.

Browse through this text (especially the "Working with Ideas" section); you will need this primarily for the Application Assignment.

Article: Sollenberger, D. K. (2006). Strategic planning in healthcare: The experience of the University of Wisconsin hospital and clinics. Frontiers of Health Services Management, 23(2), 17-31.

Retrieved from http://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=23450761&site=ehost-live&scope=site

This article outlines the strategic-planning process that is addressed throughout this course. As you read it, allow the information to provide a framework for how you think about strategy formulation as well as the other phases of the process. What insights are most important for those involved in strategic planning and management?

Article: Beckham, D. (2010). Physician involvement in hospital strategic planning. Trustee: The Journal for Hospital Governing Boards, 63(6), 6-7.

Retrieved from http://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mnh&AN=20632641&site=ehost-live&scope=site

This article discusses the importance of "ownership" and the reason physician involvement is so important for strategic planning.
Read all of the following case studies; your instructor will assign one to be the focus for your Discussion.

Case Study: Zuckerman, A. M. (2008). What would you do?: Is this system's smaller hospital a keeper?. hfm (Healthcare Financial Management), 62(6), 112-114. Retrieved from

http://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=34000850&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Case Study: Zuckerman, A. M. (2007). What would you do?: Should this successful integrated system divest one of its business units?. hfm (Healthcare Financial Management), 61(12), 94-9 5. Retrieved from http://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=27796125&site=ehost-live&scope=site
Case Study: Zuckerman, A. M. (2008). What would you do ? What type of expansion makes sense?. hfm (Healthcare Financial Management), 62(10), 122-124. Retrieved from http://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=34786715&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Optional Resources

Article: Orlando Health. (2008). Community benefit report.

Retrieved from http://orlandohealth.com/pdf%20folder/comm_benefit_report08.pdf

Article: Invest-Tech Limited. (2009). Business planning papers: Developing a strategic plan.

Retrieved from http://www.planware.org/strategicplan.htm

Article: Invest-Tech Limited. (2009). Free online strategic planner.

Retrieved from http://www.planware.org/strategicplanner.htm

Article: Mind Tools, Ltd. (2010). Affinity diagrams.

Retrieved from http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_86.htm

Article: Mind Tools, Ltd. (2010). Brainstorming.

Retrieved from http://www.mindtools.com/brainstm.html

Article: Mind Tools, Ltd. (2010). Cause and effect diagrams.

Retrieved from http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_03.htm

Article: Mind Tools, Ltd. (2010). Running effective meetings.

Retrieved from http://www.mindtools.com/CommSkll/RunningMeetings.htm