The Presidio Army Health Clinic’s SWOT-Analysis

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The Presidio Army Health Clinic’s SWOT-Analysis The current health care system can be difficult to navigate and often medical centers need management tools to help them develop strategic plans within their organizations. The SWOT-Analysis is one strategic tool that health care centers can use to formulate a roadmap for their organizations. The SWOT-Analysis examines internal capabilities (strengths and weaknesses) and external developments (opportunities and threats) when determining a strategic plan for an organization (Van Wijngaarden, Scholten, & Van Wijk, 2012). Van Wijngaarden et al. (2012) explains for SWOT-Analysis to prove meaningful throughout an organization, it is important for stakeholders to be part of the brainstorming to identify its’ internal capabilities and external developments. However, there are a few drawbacks to the using the SWOT-analysis tool that are important for health care centers to remain cognizant of when developing their strategic blueprints. Helms and Nixon (2010) state the SWOT-Analysis can be vague and too simplistic when developing a strategic course for an organization; it can be difficult to classify variables into the four SWOT quadrants; and no definite strategic path is identified after the SWOT-analysis is completed. For these reasons, they explain it can be helpful to use additional analysis tools in addition to the SWOT-analysis. One such tool the U.S. Army Medical System uses is the balanced-score card. The balanced-score card can assist health care centers in the clarification of their strategic objectives and goals, and facilitates communication throughout the organization (Chan, 2006). Chan (2006) also reveals balanced-score cards allow for constructive employee feedback l... ... middle of paper ... ... Journal of Administrative Services, 23(2), 85-104. Ginter, P. M., Duncan, W.J., & Swayne, L.E. (2013). The strategic management of health care organizations (7th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Helms, M.M. & Nixon, J. (2010). Exploring SWOT analysis – where are we now? A review of academic research from the last decade. Journal of Strategy and Management, 3(3), 215-251. doi: 10.1108/17554251011064837 Van Wijngaarden, J.D.H., Scholten, G.R.M., & Van Wijk, K.P. (2012, Jan). Strategic analysis for health care organizations: The suitability of the SWOT-analysis. International Journal of Health Planning and Management, 27(1), 34-49. doi: 10.1002/hpm.1032 Wing, J. (2010). SWOT analysis training. Retrieved from https://portal.wrmc.amedd. army.mil/wrmc/Strategic Planning Conference Dec 2010/A3 Strategic Planning Documents/SWOT Analysis.pptx

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