The Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA) within the D.C. Department of Health was facing a period of transition under new leadership and potential realignment driven by a change in mayoral administration. HRLA needed a clear, strategic direction to navigate this transition, ensuring that it could continue to fulfill its mission effectively while adapting to new priorities and external pressures.

At the time, HRLA was responsible for regulating and licensing healthcare facilities and professionals in the District of Columbia. As a critical arm of the D.C. Department of Health, HRLA played a vital role in ensuring public safety and the quality of healthcare services. With a new mayoral administration on the horizon, the HRLA sought to reassess its strategic priorities and realign its operations to better serve its stakeholders and the public.

Symphonic Strategies proposed a two-day Design Lab to help HRLA leadership and staff map out their strategic ecosystem and develop actionable plans for realignment. The Design Lab was designed to be an interactive and immersive experience, allowing participants to explore the forces shaping their operating environment, identify opportunities for improvement, and craft strategic pathways to achieve their goals.

The implementation process was conducted over two days and involved the following steps:

1. Initial Planning and Setup: Prior to the Design Lab, Symphonic Strategies worked closely with HRLA leaders, Dr. Rikin Mehta and Dr. Forrest Daniels, to identify the key objectives and outcomes for the retreat. This included understanding HRLA’s current challenges and the potential impacts of the upcoming mayoral transition.

2. Day 1: Strategic Ecosystem Mapping: The first day of the Design Lab focused on sketching out HRLA’s strategic ecosystem. Participants engaged in activities designed to identify the political, social, and legislative forces impacting their work, as well as the key stakeholders involved. Through guided discussions and collaborative exercises, the team created a visual representation of their ecosystem, highlighting areas of alignment and misalignment.

3. Day 2: Scenario Planning and Action Pathways: On the second day, the focus shifted to envisioning new possibilities for HRLA within its ecosystem. Participants explored various scenarios, including the potential effects of organizational realignment, and discussed the pathways needed to navigate these changes successfully. By the end of the session, the HRLA team had developed a series of actionable steps and a refined strategic vision to guide their work under the new administration.

4. Final Deliverables: Symphonic Strategies provided HRLA with a comprehensive report that included the visual ecosystem map, strategic recommendations, and a roadmap for implementing the identified action steps. This report served as a foundational document for HRLA’s strategic planning moving forward.

The Design Lab had a profound impact on HRLA’s ability to strategically position itself during a time of change. Key outcomes included:

- Enhanced Strategic Clarity: HRLA emerged from the Design Lab with a clear understanding of the external and internal forces shaping its operations, enabling it to make informed decisions about its future direction.

- Improved Stakeholder Engagement: The ecosystem mapping process highlighted critical relationships and areas for improved coordination with stakeholders, leading to more effective collaboration.

- Actionable Strategic Plan: HRLA developed a concrete set of action steps to guide its realignment efforts, ensuring that it could adapt to new leadership and policy priorities while continuing to fulfill its mission.

HRLA’s experience underscores the importance of strategic foresight and ecosystem mapping in times of organizational change. By taking the time to understand their operating environment and engage in scenario planning, HRLA was able to position itself for success under new leadership.

Is your organization facing a period of transition or realignment? Contact Symphonic Strategies today to learn how our Design Labs can help you navigate change, align your operations, and achieve your strategic goals.