Cultivating a Culture of Planning

September 09, 2024 | Sara Bell, Marta McMillon, Andrea Lowe

Planning is a foundational activity in governmental public health. Governmental public health agencies must ensure that agency-level plans—a strategic plan, workforce plan, emergency operations plan, quality improvement and/or performance management plan—inform program-level plans and even individual performance plans. These agencies often also convene and facilitate community health assessments and improvement planning processes. Plan alignment can help agencies coordinate these plans by identifying their intersections and influence on each other. 

When considering plan alignment, a holistic lens allows agencies to comprehensively organize sustainable public health systems change through plan interconnectivity. It's to this end that ASTHO’s Performance Improvement team worked to support planners in fostering a culture of planning within their organization. 

The Journey 

To support such a planning culture, ASTHO convened a small cohort of jurisdictions to participate in a learning community. The learning community aimed to support participants in garnering engagement and commitment to the planning process, identifying and developing effective information gathering and communication strategies, aligning their organization’s foundational plans, and assuring resource allocation and a sustainable planning culture. 

Each team completed ASTHO’s planning readiness assessment at the start of the community. This assessment was intended to help teams pinpoint areas that may need bolstering before embarking on the planning process. 

Through four virtual learning sessions, participating teams had the opportunity to hear from a subject matter expert on boundary spanning leadership with a focus on direction, alignment, and commitment (DAC). Additionally, they built relationships across teams by sharing common challenges and learning from and with their peers. 

Key Takeaways 

Moving From Theory to Practice 

Transitioning from theoretical frameworks to practical application is often a formidable challenge in public health planning. While theoretical models provide valuable insights and strategies, implementing them in real-world settings can be complex due to organizational contexts, resource constraints, and unforeseen obstacles. Grounding theory in reality is essential for ensuring that strategies are not only feasible but also effective in practice. As one participant reflected, "The challenge is not just understanding the theory but figuring out how to apply it when we don’t have all the control or resources." This highlights the critical need for practical tools and support to bridge the gap between theory and practice, ensuring that public health initiatives are both actionable and responsive to real-world conditions. 

Value of Peer Support 

The value of peer support cannot be overstated. Participants found immense comfort and validation in sharing their challenges and successes with colleagues who were navigating similar paths. This sense of camaraderie fostered a collaborative environment where diverse approaches could be discussed and refined, leading to innovative solutions and best practices.  

The ability to compare structures and strategies with peers not only provided support but also practical insights that enhanced participants’ capacity to implement effective public health planning. As one participant remarked, "It was nice to hear validation and that we’re not alone. We were able to compare and contrast our structures and it was neat to hear different approaches to the work." This validation and shared understanding reinforce the importance of working together, learning from each other, and collectively advancing public health planning efforts. Ultimately, this support cultivates resilient and empowered planning teams dedicated to advancing public health initiatives.

Significance of Interpersonal Skills

In the realm of public health planning, soft skills such as facilitation play a crucial role in ensuring successful outcomes. Effective facilitation bridges communication gaps, fosters collaboration, and drives engagement among diverse partners. It enables planners to navigate complex group dynamics, ensure all voices are heard, and build consensus around common goals. Mastering these skills can significantly enhance the planning process, making it more inclusive and efficient. As highlighted in the learning community, the ability to facilitate discussions and workshops is essential for aligning partners' efforts and maintaining momentum throughout the planning stages. By prioritizing the development of these interpersonal skills, agencies create a more cohesive and effective public health planning environment.

Looking Forward

The practices cultivated in this learning community are the building blocks of a sustainable planning culture within governmental public health agencies. By emphasizing plan alignment, fostering peer-to-peer connections, and prioritizing interpersonal skills development, agencies are better equipped to navigate the complexities of public health planning. These practices will drive a culture where planning is an integral part of how agencies operate and achieve their goals. Moving forward, these foundational elements will continue to support health agencies in creating resilient, adaptable, and effective public health systems that are responsive to the needs of the communities they serve.

Additional Resources

• Public Health Planning
• ASTHO STAR Center
• Organizational Strategic Planning Guide
• Charter Template and Guide

Please contact performanceimprovement@astho.org to pilot ASTHO’s planning readiness assessment tool.