Identifying Resources - Term Paper Example

Strategic Planning Process Strategic Planning Process Introduction The vulnerability of the nursing field to issues that affect change processes necessitates the need for interventions directed towards addressing the pliability of the nursing field to change. In this aspect, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats ought to considered in order to formulate appropriate action plans to achieve the projected change outcomes. In addition, the resources necessary to the attainment of the needed change musts also be considered.

This discussion offers an explanation of the specific resources needed to address the weaknesses and threats and build upon opportunities and strengths in my course project and how I would leverage these resources to carry out the change I am proposing through the strategic plan.Resources Addressing strengths and weaknesses and building upon opportunities and threats is a time consuming process that requires highly skilled personnel or team to collect and analyze data (Sare and Ogilvie, 2010).

Therefore, highly skilled personnel is one of the critical resources needed. The second resource alluded to by Sare and Ogilvie (2010) is finances. For a change to be achieved, there must be enough funds to finance day to day, weekly, and monthly activities and processes that are directed towards addressing weaknesses and threats and build on strengths and opportunities. In relation to optimal number of nurses as an unmet need, lack of relevant skills among the few available nurses as a threat necessitates availability of funds to facilitate the needed training programs.

The third resource in this context is partnerships (Sare and Ogilvie, 2010). To implement action plans to address the weaknesses and threats and build on the strengths and opportunities, a multidisciplinary approach is needed. Partnering with both internal and external stakeholders is also important in order to attract the needed support. Fourthly, technology (Sare and Ogilvie, 2010) is also a critical resource in this context. Efficiency of services in a healthcare institution is highly attributable to technology.

Adoption of technology as an opportunity for improvement for instance could help improve efficiency of services through enabling easy access of patients information. Leveraging the resources One of the ways I would leverage these resources to achieve the needed change is budgeting. In elucidating a budget, Inc (n.d, para.3) posits that "Modern budgets not only limit expenditures; they also predict income, profits, and returns on investment a year ahead". In addition, Inc (n.d) posits that a budget helps business leaders identify probable and latent losses and deficits in a timely manner.

In a budget, projections in all areas of business are delineated and are measured in terms of performance. Therefore, using a budget will forecast whether the identified resources will meet, surpass, or fall below the projected levels of performance. The second way in which I would leverage these resources is by conducting a critical path analysis. According to Mind Tools (2013, para.3), a critical path analysis acts as "The basis both for preparation of a schedule, and of resource planning".

Additionally, critical path analysis allows for the scrutiny and supervision of accomplishments relating to the objectives of projected change and also enables the identification of areas of weakness that require implementation of counteractive measures (Mind Tools, 2013). Doing so gives the identified resources an added advantage that facilitates the achievement of projected change. In conclusion, identification of resources that can facilitate the needed change is crucial. In relation to addressing weaknesses and threats and building upon opportunities and strengths; a team with the relevant set of skills; finances; partnerships; and technology ought to be considered.

Leveraging these resources can be achieved through budgeting and critical path analysis. These approaches can help identify potential losses and problem areas and consequently form the basis for implementation of action plans for improvement. ReferencesInc. (n.d). Budgets and Budgeting. Retrieved from http://www.inc.com/encyclopedia/budgetsandbudgeting.htmlMind Tools. (2013). Critical path analysis and PERT charts. Retrieved from http://www.mindtools.com/critpath.html Sare, M. V., & Ogilvie, L. (2010). Strategic planning for nurses: Change management in health care.

Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.