Everyone in a health system C-suite knows electronic health record (EHR) conversions represent a significant investment of time, political capital, and financial resources — and they impact nearly every corner of the organization.

Whether driven by the need for better interoperability, improved end user experience, or improved clinical and financial outcomes, EHR conversions demand rigorous planning, collaboration, and savvy financial stewardship.

Leadership teams are committed to ensuring that an EHR deployment positions the organization for long-term success. But many teams lack the requisite combination of capital planning acumen, labor market intelligence, and implementation experience to steer the organization away from pitfalls that jeopardize both timelines and budgets. Understanding these common pitfalls is the first step toward avoiding them.

To preserve the affordability of an EHR investment, steer clear of these six critical budgeting mistakes.