Goals Not Dreams: A Project Management Toolkit for Providers in the Evolving Military Health Care Landscape

By Erica Sharma, M.B.A., and Justin Curry, Ph.D. 
April 14, 2026

A classroom with service members using laptops and an instructor standing up
U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joshua Hull

Business entrepreneur Robert Herjavec lives by the mantra, “a goal without a timeline is just a dream.” In military health care, dreaming is not an option. Providers operate in environments where timelines are mission-critical, operational demands shift rapidly, and clinical, research, and administrative responsibilities often overlap. In these fast-paced and fluid settings, structured project management approaches are essential tools for delivering mission-aligned outcomes.

The expansion of the provider role underscores the importance of equipping providers with tools that support efficient coordination and project execution. A 2023 study published in “Social Science & Medicine,” found that nearly half of Army-affiliated Military Health System staff sampled reported experiencing burnout, primarily driven by workload and work-life balance concerns.1 In 2025, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a corresponding increase in the need for medical and health services managers, professionals responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating health care operations. Between 2024-2034, an estimated 62,000 openings for medical and health services managers are projected annually due to workforce transitions and retirements.2 Together, these trends reflect a health care landscape where provider roles are expanding and the need for structured operational and project management support continues to grow.

Recognizing the expanding responsibilities providers carry, the Defense Health Agency’s Psychological Health Center of Excellence’s Program Management Office developed a practical resource that translates formal project management principles into an accessible, provider-friendly toolkit. The toolkit offers a structured framework for provider-led project execution based on core project management skills: managing workflows, driving efficiencies, coordinating resources, and aligning stakeholder needs.

A Practical Solution: The Fundamentals of Project Management Toolkit

Structured approaches that support consistent, mission-aligned project execution are essential tools for providers. The Fundamentals of Project Management Toolkit, based on the Project Management Body of Knowledge, translates key PMBOK Knowledge Areas into actionable steps across the project lifecycle. This framework offers providers clear guidance for planning, executing, and evaluating projects. Key Knowledge Areas especially relevant to provider research requirements include:3,4

  • Integration Management: Aligning activities with organizational strategies.
  • Scope Management: Defining and monitoring project work to ensure all requirements are met.
  • Schedule Management: Planning and sequencing project activities to align with stakeholder expectations.
  • Cost Management: Planning, allocating, and controlling the project’s financial resources.
  • Quality Management: Applying quality assurance practices to meet stakeholder expectations.
  • Resource Management: Ensuring necessary personnel, materials, and assets are acquired.
  • Communications Management: Planning and managing project information to ensure shared understanding among stakeholders.
  • Risk Management: Identifying, assessing, and responding to risks to maximize positive outcomes.
  • Stakeholder Management: Identifying stakeholder expectations and applying strategies to align project goals.

Fundamentals of Project Management Toolkit

The table below outlines how key PMBOK Knowledge Areas align with the phases of the project lifecycle, providing providers with a structured roadmap for project execution.

Knowledge Areas Phase I: Project Initiation Phase II: Planning Phase III: Execution Phase IV: Monitor & Control Phase V: Closing
Project Integration Management Identify strategic alignment with the DHA’s mission List project/program activities & objectives Direct & manage project work Monitor & control project work; Perform integrated change control Close project: All deliverables & project objectives are complete
Project Scope Management Identify high-level scope boundaries Collect project requirements; Define project scope Deliver defined scope Validate & control scope Document lessons learned
Project Schedule Management Identify key milestones Define activities; Sequence activities; Estimate activity duration; Develop a project schedule Manage project schedule Control schedule Archive schedule data
Project Cost Management Identify funding sources Estimate project cost; Determine budget Track expenditures Control costs Report final costs
Project Quality Management Define quality expectations Develop quality controls Manage project quality Control quality Evaluate outcomes
Project Resource Management Identify available resources Estimate activity resources & availability Acquire project resources; Develop & manage resources Control resources Release resources
Project Communications Management Identify communications needs Develop a communications plan Manage communications Monitor communications Archive communications
Project Risk Management Identify initial risks Perform qualitative & quantitative risk analysis; Develop a risk response plan Implement risk response Monitor risk Archive risk
Project Stakeholder Management Identify stakeholders Plan stakeholder engagement Manage stakeholder engagement Monitor stakeholder engagement Close stakeholder engagement

Note: Adapted from A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) (6th ed., p.25), by Project Management Institute, 2017. Copyright 2017 by Project Management Institute.

Why This Matters

Embedding project management frameworks into military health care operations is critical for sustaining provider resilience and supporting warfighter readiness. As operational demands continue to evolve, providers require tools to streamline workflows. By applying key concepts from the PMBOK Knowledge Areas, providers gain a structured approach to planning and executing initiatives, improving coordination, and strengthening outcomes.

The Fundamentals of Project Management Toolkit empowers providers to lead projects with clarity by confidently driving initiatives toward their intended goals.

References

  1. Wilk, J. E., Clarke-Walper, K., Nugent, K., Hoge, C.W., Sampson, M., & Warner, C.H. (2023). Associations of health care staff burnout with negative health and organizational outcomes in the U.S. military health system. Social Science & Medicine, 330, 116049.
  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. (2025, August 28). Medical and health services managers. Occupational Outlook Handbook. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm
  3. Project Management Institute. (2017). A guide to the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK Guide) (6th ed.). Project Management Institute.
  4. Project Management Institute. (2021). A guide to the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK Guide) (7th ed.). Project Management Institute.

Erica Larissa Sharma, M.B.A., is the senior program manager for the Defense Health Agency, Psychological Health Center of Excellence. She specializes in workflow design, research operations, and project management.

Justin Curry, Ph.D., serves as the chief of the Surveillance Section and leads the Project Management Office at the Psychological Health Center of Excellence.