Table 4

Parameters of success

Outcome parameters

Process parameters

Effect on organizational priorities and budget

Efficiency of priority setting process

• Priorities change; resource shift

• Increased ease in allocating resources

• Strategic plan supported/enhanced

• Improved capacity for making priority setting decisions

• Conditions for growth created/enhanced

• Perceived return on time invested

• Budget balanced

Effect on staff

Fairness

• Staff satisfaction neutral or positive

• Stakeholders understand the process

• Staff retention/recruitment neutral or positive

• Stakeholders feel engaged

• Organizational understanding improved

• Priorities are justified and seen to be reasonable

• Process is perceived to be consistent and fair

• Winners/losers issue well-managed

Effect on community

Conformity with conditions of 'accountability for reasonableness'?

• Public media recognition neutral or positive

• Public acceptance or community support improved

• Public perception of institutional accountability improved

• Health care integration through partnerships increased

• Education/research peer recognition enhanced

• Emulated by other organizations

Gibson et al. BMC Health Services Research 2004 4:25   doi:10.1186/1472-6963-4-25