The document discusses the importance of strategic planning for information systems in Southeastman Health, emphasizing that lack of staff, time, and finances should not deter the planning process. It critiques reliance on vendors for planning, noting that each organization has unique needs that require tailored approaches. Additionally, it highlights that effective planning focuses on processes and value addition rather than solely on technology, and shares insights from Paul Strassman's research on maximizing returns on IT investments.

1. Strategic Planning for … Information Systems in South Eastman Health/Santé Sud-Est Inc.

2. Why plan for Information Systems? Reasons Not To: We have so little $ there’s no point. We don’t know anything about IS. The vendor will do the planning. Don’t have the staff or the time. We can just copy others. MB Health & Province can lead.

3. We don’t have enough $. No one does If it forces you to plan – lack of $ could be a benefit Governments want plans May as well burn what little you have if you’re not going to plan

4. We don’t know anything. Focus on what you know – stick to your knitting It’s not about technology – it’s about process Focus on the use of info to add value and avoid being distracted by the technology

5. The vendor will do the planning. Vendors know their business – not yours. They are not strategic planners. If you don’t know what you want, you’re bound to be unhappy with the result.

6. Don’t have the staff or the time. It’s not one-size-fits-all, adjust to nature of organization SE Health is large and complex Needs to be a priority ( I was up till 5 am …) Do not have the luxury of doing it “not well”

7. We can just copy others. Each facility/program/RHA has a different mix of clients, staff, processes, technologies, etc. We can learn from others but must pay attention to the differences At a minimum details of implementation will differ so you must do your own planning

8. MB Health & Province can lead Politicized and unreliable process Urban focused Driven by the Feds Multiple partners complicates the process

9. Guidelines for IS Investments The Squandered Computer , Paul Strassman Results from years of studying IT use in hundreds of organizations showed no relationship between % of budget spent on IT and profits or production. He concludes that those organizations that get the best return are those that: Automate administrative operations to reduce overhead. Concentrate IT investments where they ADD VALUE.

10. Plans are useless but planning is essential…