Information resource planning for a health-care system using an AHP-based goal programming method

This paper presents a goal programming (GP) model which aids in allocating a health-care system's information resources pertinent to strategic plannin g. The model is developed based on the data obtained from a major health-ca re system in the United States. The overall objective is to design and eval uate a model for effective information resource planning in a health-care s ystem. The proposed model: (1) utilizes a GP approach to reflect the multip le, conflicting goals of the health-care system; (2) employs a GP solution process to reflect multi-dimensional aspects of the resource allocation pla nning; and (3) allows for some degree of flexibility of decision-making wit h respect to resource allocation. The goals are decomposed and prioritized with respect to the corresponding criteria using the analytic hierarchy pro cess (AHP). The model result is derived and discussed. This GP model facili tates decision-making planning process and managerial policy in health-care information resources planning and similar planning settings.