5177.0: Wednesday, November 15, 2000 - 2:45 PM

Abstract #11487

Cascades of organizational change using scenario and strategic planning

Elizabeth Woodyard, RN, MEd1, Lois Heldenbrand, BS, MSEd2, and Kathleen Wojciehowski, MA, JD1. (1) Missouri Department of Health/Center for Local Public Health Services, Missouri Department of Health/Center for Local Public Health Services, P.O. Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102, 573-751-6170, woodye@mail.health.state.mo.us, (2) Office of Strategic Planning, Missouri Department of Health, P.O. Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102, 573-522-1718, heldel@mail.health.state.mo.us

During the last twenty years, in order to make critical decisions about the future, many private sector organizations included scenario and strategic planning in their leadership toolbox. However, we in public health have not always used these tools to effectively prepare for a constantly changing environment. This presentation will demonstrate how the Missouri Department of Health (MDOH) used leadership teams to examine and plan for the uncertainties of the future. These teams used scenarios to look at the public health core functions and their impact on improving the health status of all Missouri communities. By developing four distinct futures, the department identified early indicators that should significantly affect health status.

Extracting early indicators from the scenarios, departmental leadership teams now use this information in developing and updating the five year integrated strategic plan. Managers are responsible for implementing and tracking critical measures for achieving the goals of the plan, including reducing health disparities. The result is a shared vision that cascades from broad state-wide indicators to specific community needs.

MDOH is now positioned, with its expanded toolbox, to identify and implement those high leverage strategies necessary to meet Missouri's vision of " healthy people in healthy communities".

Learning Objectives: 1. Learn how Missouri Department of Health (MDOH) uses scenario and strategic planning to lead organizational change. 2. Discuss how MDOH uses planning teams to integrate systems thinking into the culture. 3. Evaluate how these planning tools have developed leaders in the system to address population disparities

Keywords: Planning, Accountability

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Missouri Department of Health Local public health agencies (generic) in Missouri
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA