A primer on project management: The cornerstone of strategic leadership

Abstract

Purpose

This article is a primer which aims to examine the application of project management principles in organizational strategic planning. The intended audience is students in health administration and novice leaders in health care.

Design/methodology/approach

A six‐phase project management algorithm is presented to serve as a framework for implementing various aspects of an organization's strategic plan, with a particular emphasis on accountability processes.

Findings

Leaders in healthcare can increase the effectiveness of their organization's strategic planning processes and improve accountability by incorporating basic project management principles during the implementation phase of strategic planning.

Research limitations/implications

This is a review article drawing on a well‐established literature in project management and strategic planning.

Practical implications

The processes associated with generating an organizational strategic plan are well addressed in the management literature. This article succinctly outlines the application of basic project management principles to the implementation of strategic plans and organizational success, focusing on accountability processes.

Social implications

Cost effectiveness of health organizations can be improved by implementing project management practices in strategic planning.

Originality/value

The article succinctly applies basic project management principles to the implementation of strategic plans and organizational success.

Citation

Maddalena, V. (2012), "A primer on project management: The cornerstone of strategic leadership", Leadership in Health Services, Vol. 25 No. 2, pp. 80-89. https://doi.org/10.1108/17511871211221019