Healthcare can be considered a high-velocity environment and, as such, can benefit from research conducted in other industries regarding strategic decision making. A study outlines the differences between fast and slow decision makers, identifies 5 paralyses that can slow decision making in healthcare, and outlines the role of a planning department in circumventing these paralyses. Executives can use the proposed planning structure to improve both the speed and quality of strategic decisions. The structure uses planning facilitators to avoid the following 5 paralyses: 1. analysis, 2. alternatives, 3. group think, 4. process, and 5. separation.
