“Your value analysis program is either growing and improving or it is stuck in an endless loop of doing the same things repeatedly.”
The adage goes, “You are either moving forward or you are moving backward, there is no in-between.” There is nothing truer with your value analysis program at your health system. Your program is either growing and improving or it is stuck in an endless loop of doing the same things repeatedly with just the products, services, and people changing. That is not program growth.
You should always be taking care of your value analysis business in every way, shape and form, but you must also have an eye to the future as to where you want and need it to go. The best way to figure out where you want your program to go is to sit down and ask yourself some questions to clarify your vision for your VA program of the future!
What Are the Experts Saying? Draw up a table with a number of industry experts that you follow who you feel have forward-thinking value analysis strategies that you want your program to emulate. Steal the best ideas with pride in order to make your VA program the best it can be!
What Does Leadership Expect? Remember, if you don’t ask them from time to time you will never get the answers you are looking for. Ask what their expectations are, and they will tell you. This communication also opens the way for you to pitch your ideas to them.
I remember hearing from a VA Coordinator that her CFO challenged her and said that they were not saving money like other VA programs that he learned about at a CFO conference. The VA Coordinator agreed that they were only focused on new product requests but that was only because that was all they were asked to do. In turn, the CFO helped set the path for the VA Coordinator to lead their non-salary cost optimization through their VA program.
What Do Key Customers, Stakeholders, and Experts Expect? Once again, it is always good to ask your key customers, stakeholders, and experts what their expectations are for your value analysis program. Be prepared for big hits and lots of little stuff too and prepare all the quality information you can gather. Never ignore your main customers, which also include your department heads and managers who own the supply budgets at your healthcare organization.
What Are We Missing with Our Program? This is by far the best question to ask as it should uncover areas that your program is not strong in or is missing altogether. You will have to do your homework here and really delve into what you are missing. Then, figure out the results you are looking to have happen when you implement these new elements.
What Technology Could We Be Incorporating or Enhancing? Hopefully your new product request workflow and management is automated. If not, this is a great place to start. There are more advanced areas to get into such as clinical supply utilization optimization, benchmarking, recall management, etc. Remember, your bosses don’t want you to spend money on technology that doesn’t get used but if you can show a return on investment and easier use for end customers or a better bottom line, they will be all ears. Make sure you have all your outcomes aligned for when you do ask to spend money.
What is Old is New in Healthcare Value Analysis
Don’t push back on things you may feel are old technology or outdated because the concepts have been around for a long time. Remember, value analysis was created over 70 years ago and is still a rock-solid concept that lives today. I often find myself going back over value analysis and value engineering concepts, methods, and practices because I realize that many were before their time. Plus, just because it is older does not mean that it cannot be brought back to life in our healthcare world.
Strategic Planning is the Best Route for Your Future
If you follow my writings at all you will realize that I am a big believer in value analysis strategic planning. The process we have outlined here for you today is geared for you to fill in any gaps in your plan. Being the one asking the questions is always a good idea with these strategic plans and is something that you can progressively work towards until you feel it is ready for your Leaders’ eyes. They can even further refine your VA strategic plan and hopefully adopt it or part of it which will give you the growth you are looking for in your VA program.
Below are some similar articles that you may find interesting.
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4 Advanced Elements You Want to Add to Your Healthcare Value Analysis Program