Strategy Planning
Write an 8-12-page paper in Word format. Apply APA standards to citation of sources.
Understand the challenges. Improving processes and increasing efficiencies through IT implementation also requires behavioral and sometimes organizational change. With these changes come inherent challenges. Understanding and planning for those challenges will increase the chance of success in meeting the business goals.
Using a company of your choice, determine the strategic business goals. Develop an IT strategy that aligns to the business goals. Use the balanced scorecard approach aligning the IT strategy to the business strategy. You will need to cite at least 4 credible sources that will provide justification for your strategy or approach.
Your IT strategy should include:
Business Goals and Objectives
List at least two or three specific business goals for the next year or two with an explanation of the business' rationale for the goal.
List an objective for each business goal to explain what the company needs to do to achieve the goal.
IT Strategies aligned with business goals and objectives
List one or two IT strategies for each business goal
These should be recommended strategies that would enable the business goals and objectives to be achieved.
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 need 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.