American College of Healthcare Executives
Strategic Plan: 2008-2010
Planning Process

In December 2006, ACHE embarked on a new strategic planning process. As in the past, ACHE was focused on meeting the changing needs of its membership and of the healthcare management field, as well as ensuring the continued strength of the organization in years to come.

As a first step, ACHE retained two highly qualified consultants to facilitate and coordinate the process. These consultants reviewed Affiliate Needs Surveys from past years as well as materials from the American Society of Association Executives as part of the environmental assessment.

Throughout the spring of 2007, the consultants interviewed the ACHE Chairman Officers, and then met with the Board of Governors and the Council of Regents during the 2007 Congress on Healthcare Leadership. As part of the 2007 Regents Think Tank at Congress, the Regents took part in a SWOT analysis to identify organizational strengths and weaknesses and identify priorities for ACHE over the next three years. Also at Congress, eight focus groups were conducted: two groups of chapter leaders, two groups of senior careerists, two groups of mid-careerists, and two groups of early careerists; all of these focus groups concentrated on gaining insights into challenges and opportunities for ACHE.

All of this input was reviewed and incorporated into a strategic planning workshop conducted during the June 2007 Board of Governors retreat. There, the board members reviewed the data and began reviewing and revising ACHE's vision, mission, values, goal areas and initiatives. The new strategic plan was then drafted and sent to the entire Board of Governors for feedback.

In the fall, the draft plan was further discussed at the district meetings held with Regents at the 2007 Chapter Leaders Conference. All participants were encouraged to provide further input and reactions to the draft plan.

After incorporating this input, a final version of the 2008-2010 Strategic Plan was created and approved by the Board of Governors at its November 2007 meeting.

The plan contains ACHE's updated vision and mission and five goal areas and initiatives that are critical to ACHE exceeding affiliates' expectations. A progress report is also available.