Research Paper-IT Strategic Planning
IT Strategic Planning
Using a company of your choice, determine the strategic business goals. Develop an IT strategy that aligns to the business goals. You can use the balanced scorecard approach or you can develop your own method for defining and aligning the IT strategy to the business strategy. You will need to cite at least two credible sources that will provide justification for your strategy or approach.
Finding a company: If you are employed, it is best for you to use your current place of employment so you can practically apply the concepts in this assignment. Alternatively, you can use a nonprofit organization or any other organization you may have ties or access to.
Your IT strategy should include:
IT Strategies aligned with business goals and objectives
List one or two IT strategies for each business goal
If your company already has IT strategies, you may provide an analysis and justification or new recommendation for each of the strategies
Organizational Structure
Describe the structure of the organization including:
Organizational design
Organizational culture
Leadership factors (the types of leadership displayed within the company)
Business processes
Physical layout (i.e., how many offices, virtual offices, international locations)
IT Infrastructure
Describe the current IT infrastructure including:
Hardware
Software
Network
IT resources
This should be a high-level overview
IT Challenges
Describe internal and external challenges IT faces in meeting the business needs
Include social and/or ethical considerations
Risks
Describe risks IT might face when implementing change
As you develop your strategy, you may want to consider the following:
An effective IT strategy will enable the business operations, helping business leaders achieve business goals more efficiently and effectively.
Focus on top priorities. Take the time to understand organizational issues, how they are related, and how they affect performance. Determine what will happen if nothing changes and where IT can have the greatest, positive impact.
Identify how IT supports business processes. The business is relying on their capabilities to achieve the business goals. The IT strategy should include a plan for supporting those business capabilities, creating efficiencies, and competitive advantage for the business.
Define IT priorities and governance for IT. Without priorities and a process for IT governance in place, progress will be slowed. An agreed upon plan for governing IT will enable the decision process.
