Growth opportunities in health professions education can be compelling. New programs may respond to workforce needs, expand an institution’s reach, create new enrollment opportunities, or advance broader strategic priorities.
But identifying an opportunity is only the beginning.
University leaders also need to determine whether their institution has the resources and capabilities to execute that opportunity successfully. The Build, Partner, or Pause approach provides a practical way to evaluate those decisions before significant resources are committed.
What Is the Build, Partner, or Pause Framework?
Build, Partner, or Pause helps institutional leaders evaluate three potential paths for program growth.
Build means developing the necessary capabilities primarily within the institution.
Partner means working with an external organization to provide specific expertise, infrastructure, or capacity that complements institutional strengths.
Pause means delaying implementation until important conditions for successful growth are in place.
The framework is not about identifying one approach that works for every institution. It is about evaluating which path best aligns with the institution’s current capabilities, strategic priorities, and growth opportunity.
How Can Universities Evaluate Readiness for Program Growth?
Before choosing a path, leaders need a clear understanding of what successful implementation will require.
That evaluation may include questions such as:
- Does the opportunity align with institutional strategy?
- Is there sufficient student and workforce demand?
- What accreditation requirements and timelines need to be considered?
- Does the institution have the necessary faculty capacity and expertise?
- Are sufficient clinical education opportunities available?
- What curriculum development will be required?
- Does the institution have the necessary technology and operational infrastructure?
- Is the proposed model financially sustainable?
Looking at these factors together can help leaders distinguish between a strong opportunity and an institution that is truly ready to execute it.
How Do Leaders Decide Whether to Build, Partner, or Pause?
The decision starts by identifying the gap between what the opportunity requires and what the institution can currently support.
If the necessary expertise, infrastructure, resources, and capacity already exist internally, building may be a viable path.
If the opportunity is strategically sound but important capabilities are missing, partnership may allow the institution to move forward while maintaining focus on its academic strengths.
If significant gaps create unacceptable financial, operational, accreditation, or academic risk, pausing may provide time to strengthen readiness before proceeding.
The important point is that the decision should follow the readiness assessment, not precede it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should universities evaluate before expanding a health professions program?
Institutions should consider strategic alignment, market demand, accreditation requirements, faculty and clinical capacity, curriculum needs, operational infrastructure, financial sustainability, and implementation requirements.
When should a university consider partnering for program growth?
Partnership may be appropriate when an institution has identified a strong strategic opportunity but needs additional expertise, capacity, technology, infrastructure, or implementation support to execute it effectively.
Is pausing a program launch the same as abandoning the opportunity?
No. Pausing can be a strategic decision that gives an institution time to address gaps in resources, capacity, infrastructure, accreditation readiness, or other areas before moving forward.
Explore the Full Resource
The right growth strategy depends on more than the opportunity itself. It requires an honest assessment of institutional readiness, capabilities, and the resources required for successful execution.
Applying Build, Partner, or Pause to Institutional Growth takes a deeper look at how leaders can apply this decision framework when evaluating opportunities in health professions education.
Download: Applying Build, Partner, or Pause to Institutional Growth (opens in a new tab)
