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Adjust Course

By continually learning and assimilating new knowledge, the strategic management processes and the plans are constantly improving.

These activities "close the loop" of the HS IT strategic management process. They generate the feedback necessary for the organization to learn, hold onto the gains it has achieved, and continue to improve. The feedback is used to adjust the information factored and the procedures followed within the entire HS IT strategic management process. This step corrects or standardizes actions, adjusts plans or measures, and/or starts the whole HS IT strategic management process over again, as appropriate and indicated by results from the Monitor Operation activities.

Adjusting Course involves the following key activities:

  1. Continually Learn. Development and implementation of any Strategic Plan for technology is a process driven by choices and decisions that reflect a given time and situation.  As time passes and new technology evolves, better ways to use technology become apparent.  This activity involves recording and including, for the next release of the plan, updates and changes that make the next year's plan even stronger.  A formal process should be defined to document and record considerations for the next version of the plan.

  2. Continually Improve. By incorporating lessons learned into the next version of the HS Agency's strategic plan, the process of strategic planning can become dependable and executable.

  3. Systematically Repeat the Process.   Develop a regimented process for strategic planning and a timeframe in which the process is repeated. In the dynamic world of HS, annual updates would seem appropriate.  Define your cycle time and refine and repeat the planning process.

By following the Plan the Course of Action activities, each State's IT Division produces a unique strategic plan. Since information needed to adjust each State's strategic plan varies, this section provides high-level guidance for you to consider.



Last Updated: May 4, 2005