How to Empower Non-Tech Executives for Health Technology Success

In the digital health landscape, where cutting-edge technologies and healthcare converge, non-technical leaders bring a distinctive perspective to the table. Their strength lies not in lines of code or system architectures but in the power of vision.

Non-technical leaders in healthcare digital projects encompass individuals holding leadership positions within healthcare organisations who lack a technical or IT background. These leaders, such as CEOs, CMOs, CNOs, COOs, clinical directors, healthcare administrators, and patient experience managers, play essential roles in guiding and directing digital initiatives. They bring their expertise in healthcare management, strategy, and patient care to ensure that digital projects align with the organisation's mission and objectives.

Collaborating with technical experts, they facilitate the successful implementation of digital solutions to enhance patient care, operational efficiency, and the overall healthcare experience.

This article delves into how these leaders can harness their strengths to drive digital transformation.

Bridging the Knowledge Gap

To bridge the knowledge gap, non-technical leaders should start by gaining an understanding of the fundamental principles of complex technologies. Creating a technology advisory committee, comprising a diverse group of technical experts, is an excellent initial step. Simon Sinek's "Start with Why" philosophy is a guiding principle here. By articulating the "why" behind the digital health transformation and defining strategic objectives, non-technical leaders can position themselves to assemble the right technical team.

Defining Strategic Objectives

Non-technical leaders in the healthcare sector face the crucial task of fully grasping their strategic goals and the potential advantages they bring. These objectives encompass aspects like ensuring patient engagement and satisfaction, streamlining workflow efficiency through automation, achieving cost savings through technological implementation, and enhancing clinical accuracy via artificial intelligence (AI).

Assembling the Technical Team

The role of non-technical leaders is crucial in ensuring that the structure and composition of the technical team are in sync with the precise technical expertise needed for the digital transformation initiative within the healthcare organisation. This encompasses agile application development, AI development, IT infrastructure, and systems architecture, all customised to fulfill the strategic objectives of the organisation. Non-technical leaders play a pivotal role in aligning these technical aspects with the broader goals and vision of the healthcare organisation, effectively bridging the gap between technical expertise and organizational strategy.

Establishing a Cross-Functional Team for Digital Health

The establishment of a cross-functional team for digital health is a pivotal and strategic undertaking. This team should be a diverse amalgamation of talents, including non-technical leaders who provide essential strategic direction, subject matter experts within the organization, proficient project managers, and experienced change management specialists. The non-technical leaders play a vital role in steering the team toward success, ensuring that it operates in alignment with the broader goals and vision of the healthcare organization. Their guidance, combined with the collective expertise of the team, serves as the driving force behind digital transformation initiatives. The effectiveness of this team is greatly enhanced by the implementation of pertinent governance structures and the execution of project assurance activities, which help ensure that the initiative progresses smoothly and in accordance with the organization's objectives.

Program Tracking and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Keeping a close eye on the progress of transformation projects is vital, and non-technical leaders are at the forefront of this responsibility. Their task is to establish specific performance indicators, known as KPIs, that align with the various elements of the program. These KPIs serve as measurable goals, allowing everyone to gauge how well the project is advancing. Non-technical leaders also analyse project data, gather insights from change management efforts, and develop strategies to deal with potential risks. By combining these elements, they gain valuable insights that help them make informed decisions, ensuring that the project stays on track and reaches its intended objectives.

Embracing Decision-Making

As the great Jim Rohn wisely noted, "You cannot make progress without making decisions." Making the right decisions at each stage of the digital transformation journey is not only the key to propelling the program forward but, more importantly, it's the path to achieving the strategic goals set out from the outset. The ability to transition seamlessly to business as usual while leveraging technology and innovation is the ultimate goal.

In conclusion, non-technical leaders play a critical role in the success of digital health transformation initiatives. Their vision, clarity of purpose, and ability to assemble and guide cross-functional teams are instrumental in realising the potential of technology in healthcare. By recognising their strengths, leveraging technical expertise, and making informed decisions, non-technical leaders can lead their organisations toward a future marked by improved patient care and operational excellence.