Enhancing implementation success in healthcare organizations: 10 strategies for comprehensive planning
1
Department of Health Studies, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1853
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Although robust clinical evidence exists, healthcare organizations often struggle to integrate evidence-based practices into routine care [1, 2]. Implementation efforts frequently fail or are not sustained due to insufficient pre-implementation planning, leading to inefficient resource use, missed improvement opportunities, and suboptimal outcomes [3]. Comprehensive planning strategies are essential to guide organizations in systematically preparing for implementation, ensuring interventions are more likely to achieve sustained success.
METHODS:
This paper synthesizes implementation science theory, empirical literature, and applied implementation experience to propose 10 practical tips for pre-implementation planning in healthcare organizations. The tips are informed by the Process, Adoption, Values and Engagement (PAVE) framework, originally developed and validated through a multi-phase research study [4] and complemented by insights from practice development. The guidance targets organizational and individual determinants of implementation and is presented as an iterative, non-linear process applicable across healthcare contexts.
RESULTS:
Ten interrelated strategies for the comprehensive pre-implementation planning are presented: (1) creating tension for change; (2) securing and sustaining management commitment; (3) establishing a core implementation team for blended facilitation; (4) clarifying stakeholder values; (5) co-designing the intervention; (6) securing implementer buy-in; (7) assessing barriers and facilitators; (8) selecting an appropriate theory for change; (9) planning for individual behavior change; and (10) developing an integrated implementation, evaluation, and sustainment plan. Collectively, these considerations address governance, workforce engagement, behavioral mechanisms, and system readiness, all central to health system strengthening.
CONCLUSIONS:
Structured pre-implementation planning is a critical yet underdeveloped component of health system strengthening efforts. The proposed tips offer a pragmatic, theory-informed guide to support healthcare professionals, managers and researchers in planning sustainable implementation of evidence-based care in healthcare organizations.
Although robust clinical evidence exists, healthcare organizations often struggle to integrate evidence-based practices into routine care [1, 2]. Implementation efforts frequently fail or are not sustained due to insufficient pre-implementation planning, leading to inefficient resource use, missed improvement opportunities, and suboptimal outcomes [3]. Comprehensive planning strategies are essential to guide organizations in systematically preparing for implementation, ensuring interventions are more likely to achieve sustained success.
METHODS:
This paper synthesizes implementation science theory, empirical literature, and applied implementation experience to propose 10 practical tips for pre-implementation planning in healthcare organizations. The tips are informed by the Process, Adoption, Values and Engagement (PAVE) framework, originally developed and validated through a multi-phase research study [4] and complemented by insights from practice development. The guidance targets organizational and individual determinants of implementation and is presented as an iterative, non-linear process applicable across healthcare contexts.
RESULTS:
Ten interrelated strategies for the comprehensive pre-implementation planning are presented: (1) creating tension for change; (2) securing and sustaining management commitment; (3) establishing a core implementation team for blended facilitation; (4) clarifying stakeholder values; (5) co-designing the intervention; (6) securing implementer buy-in; (7) assessing barriers and facilitators; (8) selecting an appropriate theory for change; (9) planning for individual behavior change; and (10) developing an integrated implementation, evaluation, and sustainment plan. Collectively, these considerations address governance, workforce engagement, behavioral mechanisms, and system readiness, all central to health system strengthening.
CONCLUSIONS:
Structured pre-implementation planning is a critical yet underdeveloped component of health system strengthening efforts. The proposed tips offer a pragmatic, theory-informed guide to support healthcare professionals, managers and researchers in planning sustainable implementation of evidence-based care in healthcare organizations.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
