1. Initiate: Define the scope of the project, including projected costs, outcomes, and risks. The scope will then be reviewed and (hopefully) approved by the management team.
2. Plan: Plot out each step of the project, setting deadlines, creating a budget, and assigning responsibilities. Decide how to measure the project's progress (and return on investment).
3. Execute and Monitor: Begin executing the steps outlined in the planning stage. Monitor and measure progress on a regular basis to ensure the project is on track. Adjust the project plan as neededincluding the schedule and budgetto minimize any negative ramifications. The "execute and monitor" stage is unique in healthcare project management. This phase is much more intensive at hospitals than at other organizations; there are more layers of stakeholders who need to sign off at every step of the process. In this sense, hospital project management is special because a great deal of effort goes into getting approvals and ensuring regulations are met.
4. Close: Properly conclude a project by creating a document that summarizes outcomes, deliverables, and lessons learned. Reviewing these details with your leadership and project team will improve your project management process in the future (para. 3).

Using the four steps above, project management strategy for adding a long-term care facility to a hospital system.

	Things to Consider During This Stage
Initiate
Plan
Execute and Monitor
Close