Designing the IDS business portfolio.

The business-value model is a strategic and business decision-making tool that can help integrated delivery systems (IDSs) evaluate the relative value that their individual businesses contribute to their overall systems. To use the model, IDSs first need to identify their individual business lines using criteria such as scope, size, marketability, operations, and competition. Businesses then are categorized as core, continuum, cash, or complementary based on four criteria: system purpose, size as reflected by annual revenue, competitive position, and level of profitability. Standards for these criteria should be set by the IDS in accordance with its market circumstances.