NURS FPX 8010 Assessment 2 Strategic Plan Appraisal NURS-FPX 8010 Executive Leadership in Contemporary Nursing ​​​​​​​Strategic Plan Evaluation in Healthcare: A Critical Appraisal of the VA’s Approach

Strategic Plan Analysis

The VA’s mission is to honor and serve American Veterans, guided by core values such as Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2021b). The 2022-28 Strategic Plan outlines four goals, 13 objectives, and 75 strategies to execute the mission (Department of Veterans Affairs, 2022). Key priorities, including trust, communication, and accountability, are interwoven into the mission and core values. These priorities are fundamental to maintaining relationships, transparency, and commitment to serving Veterans.

Validity of Data and Analytical Strategies

The VA employs a rigorous analytical approach, including gap analysis and workshops to identify current and desired states (Department of Veterans Affairs, 2022). The strategic plan emphasizes the use of customer experience data, population-level statistics, and analytics to inform decision-making. Strategic Goal 4 underscores the commitment to managing data as a strategic asset, with Objective 4.2 specifically highlighting the role of the Office of Data Governance and Analysis.

Stakeholder Input

Stakeholder consultation, involving senior leaders, Federal agencies, Veteran Service Officers, members of Congress, employees, Veterans, and caregivers/families, informs the VA’s strategic plan (Department of Veterans Affairs, 2022). Feedback from stakeholders is integral to driving change and achieving Strategic Goal 3, which focuses on creating a culture of accountability driven by ethical behavior and trust.

Balanced Scorecard

The VA utilizes a Balanced Scorecard (BSC) as part of its strategic planning process, addressing financial, customer, internal business process, and learning and growth perspectives (Kaplan, 2020). Financial initiatives include the implementation of the Financial Management Business Transformation program. Customer-centric efforts aim to enhance the Veteran experience and provide multilingual communications. Internal business process improvements involve digital modernization and harmonized online experiences. Learning and growth initiatives focus on continuous development, evident in leadership training programs.

Conclusion

Strategic planning is crucial for healthcare organizations to set a path for achieving critical goals and ensuring a unified direction (Association of American Medical Colleges, 2022). The VA’s strategic plan underscores its commitment to mission-focused outcomes, customer satisfaction, and fostering a culture of trust, safety, accountability, and transparency.

References

• Association of American Medical Colleges. (2022). Strategic planning. https://www.aamc.org/professional-development/affinity-groups/gip/strategic-planning
• Department of Veterans Affairs. (2022). Fiscal years 2022-28 strategic plan. http://www.va.gov/oei/docs/va-strategic-plan-2022-2028.pdf
• Fry, A., & Baum, N. (2016). A roadmap for strategic planning in the healthcare practice. The Journal of Medical Practice Management, 32(2), 146–149. https://www.proquest.com/docview/1836565558?accountid=27965

NURS FPX 8010 Assessment 2 Strategic Plan Appraisal

• Kaplan, R. S. (2020). Using the balanced scorecard for successful health care M&A integration. NEJM Catalyst, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1056/CAT.20.0286
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2021a, March 23). Data governance and analytics. https://www.va.gov/oei/about/data-governance-analytics.asp
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2021b, March 26). About VA: Mission, vision, core values & goals. https://www.va.gov/about_va/mission.asp

Appendix

Balanced Scorecard