According to the Oxford University Press, strategy is defined as “a plan of action designed to achieve a long-term or overall aim.”1 Why is strategy of importance to urologists? Many urologists end up in formal administrative leadership roles, yet most receive little or no formal education or training on strategy and how to develop and execute a strategic plan. In these leadership roles, urologists and other physicians are often required to aid in the development of strategic plans or at least action plans designed to achieve long-term goals. For example, urologists may become involved in the development of strategic plans for their regional urology program, their own department or division of urology/surgery, or may become involved in their hospital’s, university’s and/or school of medicine’s strategic planning process in some capacity. There are several additional examples of situations urologists may face that require an understanding of strategy and its implementation, including the building of a new clinic or clinical institute, the opening of a new surgical suite or a standalone surgical centre, the building of a new research centre, the opening of a new residency or fellowship program, or — of current interest to academic urologists — the initiation of a new educational program, such as the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada’s Competence By Design (CBD) competency-based medical education (CBME) initiative. The objective of this article is to introduce urologists to the basic concepts of strategy and key components and steps in the strategic planning process so they are prepared when called upon to lead strategic initiatives or become involved in a strategic planning process.
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