Plan on a page

How to develop an aligned strategy for your knowledge and library service.

Strategy

‘Strategy’ is a word which derives from the Ancient Greek, meaning ‘Generalship’: a leader on the field of battle is given the ultimate challenge of marshalling the resources at their control in the best way possible, to triumph over adversaries.

The analogy may now be less literal, but the notion of strategy still relates to the research, thinking and planning process which enables an individual, team, department, or organisation to use the resources they have available to create sustainable advantage and be successful in the markets or sectors they operate in (or could operate in).

Benefits of having a strategy for your services

Creating a strategy for your service creates a clear and succinct articulation of the value you provide. It shows:

• how your services contribute to supporting the success of your host organisation
• how you will evolve alongside them in the future
• where you will make a positive difference
• enables you to structure important conversations with your organisation and other partners

It also helps make your case more persuasive and your life a bit easier. It builds the foundation for compelling:

• business cases
• key presentations
• inductions
• networking
• recruiting senior knowledge and library service advocates
• building shared vision and aspiration for your team

Plan on a page modules and supporting materials

Recordings have been made of the Amanda Stearn Plan on a Page course which are freely available to NHS Knowledge and Library Service (KLS) staff. For ease the course has been split into 5 modules which will walk you through building an aligned plan on a page for your service.

1. Introduction and background review exercises.
2. Shape of the strategy, vision and purpose.
3. Strategic priorities and strategies.
4. Operational tactics, enablers, metrics and alignment.
5. NHS knowledge and library services plan on a page, main exercise, hints and tips for leading strategy sessions with the team.

If you would like access to the videos of these modules plus the supporting course materials, please contact the Knowledge for Healthcare team on [email protected].

Resources