Title: Strategic planning
Course: Health Management, Ethics and Research - Ethiopia (Full)

Strategic planning

Strategic planning is the process of determining what the health sector should be achieving in the future and how it will carry out the actions necessary to bring about those achievements. Top-level managers develop strategic plans in order to achieve their strategic goals. Usually strategic planning covers the long term and the specific actions to be taken in the next five to ten years. It is about the 'bigger picture' and it shows a 'map' of where the health sector is aiming to be in the future.

It is through strategic planning that the health sector determines its priorities and the strategies that are likely to help the nation to achieve its overall health. The Ethiopian Health Sector Development Plans (HSDP I, II, III and IV) are typical examples of strategic planning for the health sector at national level.

Figure 3.1 When you have your strategic plan it is a good idea to put it on the wall so you can refer to it during your work. (Photo: Carrie Teicher)

Who is responsible for strategic planning?

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Strategic planning is usually done by senior managers at Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) level, or the politicians responsible for the health of entire regions. Extension Practitioners need to be aware of strategic plans so they can implement them, but usually they won't be involved in setting out those plans in the first place.