An evolutionary approach to the architecture of effective healthcare delivery systems

Purpose – Aims to show that material flow concepts developed and successfully applied to commercial products and services can form equally well the architectural infrastructure of effective healthcare delivery systems. Design/methodology/approach – The methodology is based on the “power of analogy” which demonstrates that healthcare pipelines may be classified via the Time‐Space Matrix. Findings – A small number (circa 4) of substantially different healthcare delivery pipelines will cover the vast majority of patient needs and simultaneously create adequate added value from their perspective. Research limitations/implications – The emphasis is firmly placed on total process mapping and analysis via established identification techniques. Healthcare delivery pipelines must be properly engineered and matched to life cycle phase if the service is to be effective. Practical implications – This small family of healthcare delivery pipelines needs to be designed via adherence to very specific‐to‐purpose principles. These vary from “lean production” through to “agile delivery”. Originality/value – The proposition for a strategic approach to healthcare delivery pipeline design is novel and positions much currently isolated research into a comprehensive organisational framework. It therefore provides a synthesis of the needs of global healthcare.