The preparatory work that determines whether your healthcare analytics initiative thrives or dies
Recently, we’ve kicked off a few projects with healthcare companies. While I can't share client details, I can share something more valuable: the behind-the-scenes work that happens before we ever write a line of code.
My goal with this issue is to give you healthcare executives a transparent view into the steps we take at Steinert Analytics to ensure project success.
The 2-Phase Pre-Build Framework
Phase 1: Data Audit Phase (1 Month Before)
We don’t dive into hands-on building without first understanding your entire data ecosystem. This phase allows us to map out a 30,000 foot view of your systems, while getting nitty gritty in understanding your codebase.
Key insight: We uncover issues and areas of improvement for your data pipelines and data quality, while baselining our understanding of your systems.
Why this matters: Healthcare executives are informed of where they’re currently at in terms of data freshness, data quality and being data-driven/AI-enabled. We determine what needs to be improved in the future state of their environment.
Phase 2: Curating the Internal Message
Healthcare organizations are complex ecosystems. As a healthcare tech leader, we understand the challenges of proposing new solutions. Given the industry’s tight margins, there’s always a key stakeholder you need buy-in from. It can be challenging.
To help you through this, Steinert Analytics
- Assembles a pitch deck for your proposal
- Determines the hard and soft ROI this data initiative has
- Paints an elaborate story of outcomes powered by data management & AI in your organization
- Willing to sit in board-level meetings for expertise, guidance and input to make a decision
Why this matters: We’ve seen healthcare tech execs struggle to get buy-in. Our proven process and resources here will help educate your board. This illustrates how to best use data in your organization and the return it brings, ensuring your stakeholders move forward with the initiative swiftly.
What Makes Healthcare Different
Higher stakes: Tight margins and highly sensitive data require execution at the highest levels. There is little room for error, and we take that seriously at Steinert Analytics.
More complex players: Clinicians, administrators, IT, compliance, and sometimes union reps all have different priorities.
Sensitive data: A lot more work goes into data governance and security compared to many other industries due to PHI and HIPAA.
Timeline paradox: Healthcare moves slowly, but when they need something, they need it yesterday.
Our Pre-Engagement Checklist
Two Weeks Before:
- Project planning set-up
- HIPAA compliance refresher
- Healthcare sector-specific industry research
- Scope definement & alignment with client
One Week Before:
- Internal team meetings with Steinert Analytics data team
- Rally around agreed upon roles/responsibilities/goals for engagement
- Ensure client and us have what we need to hit the ground running at kickoff
The Week of:
- Technical review of codebase
- Agenda created for productive kickoff meeting
The Payoff
This preparation delivers:
- Faster velocity: Navigate the ecosystem efficiently
- Higher buy-in: People support what they feel understood about
- Better fit: Design within constraints rather than fighting them
- Smoother implementation: Anticipate and address challenges proactively
What We're Watching Next Week
As we kick off, I'll be tracking:
- How our project management improves effectiveness
- The questions we ask to get alignment at kickoff
- What data surprises await (there are always surprises)
- How our technical assumptions hold up
The Bottom Line
Great healthcare analytics projects don't start with data—they start with understanding. Most consultants dive straight into the data. We've learned that diving into context first makes all the difference. Plus, it prioritizes the client, their goals, motives and feelings, which are most important to us.
Next week, I'll share what we learned in our first week and how reality compared to preparation with clients.
What's your pre-build process for healthcare projects? Reply and let me know—I'd love to compare approaches.
Christian Steinert is the founder of Steinert Analytics, helping healthcare organizations turn data into actionable insights. Subscribe to Rooftop Insights for weekly perspectives on analytics and business intelligence in healthcare.
Feel free to book a call with us here or reach out to Christian on LinkedIn. Thank you!
