IT Needs Assessment and Solution development

The rapid and continuing development of computing and information technology and related communications technologies is impacting directly on both the corporate and industrial private sectors as well as government/public sectors. These impacts need to be seen in the context of continuing pressure world-wide for smarter, faster, cheaper, more powerful and increasingly more user-friendly technology.

Finding viable approaches to the introduction and application of such new and advanced information and communications technologies is a serious challenge facing technology managers.

The processes of selecting appropriate information technology and systems and related communications technologies and services, needs to be seen in the overall strategic planning and management context of an organisation. The challenge being primarily to match the available technology, products, services and required skills, to the needs of the organisation, its resourcing capabilities and strategic directions.

At the strategic level: The purpose is primarily about determining the potential of IT and CT systems to support the strategic intent of management and the achievement of core organisational objectives. This will very likely involve an assessment of a range of related issues impacting on the selection and choice of technology and systems, including:

• Related Opportunity Horizons
• Potential to Enhance Competitiveness
• Efficacy of Decision Support Tools
• Extent of Accessibility
• Required User Skills base
• Breadth of Diversity in application

At the Tactical Level: The exercise is largely about:

• Identifying potential core areas for productivity growth/enhancement
• Setting achievable Objectives
• Identifying and allocating resources
• Integration with existing processes and services
• Clearly communicating the intent and purpose

At the Operational Level: The task is focused on ensuring the selection and implementation of :

• Appropriate IT technology and systems
• Effective and accessible communications technology and systems
• Coherence and interconnectivity between required systems and technologies
• Integration with existing products, systems and services.

It should thus be clear that in setting up and managing the selection and implementation of new IT and CT systems and services, all stages of the process need to be connected into the organisation’s strategic planning and strategic management contexts.

Whilst there are many variations of how to develop and action an IT plan, the following ‘simplified’ 5 stage management model provides an example of how such integration with strategic purpose and intent can be achieved.

Figure 7.7 5-Stage Management Model

Figure 7.8 Problem Definition

Figure 7.9 Functional Description

Figure 7.10 Request for Information

Figure 7.11 Criterion Based Evaluation

Figure 7.12 Solution Selection

Recommended Readings (Topic 7)

Betz, Frederick (2001) Executive Strategy: Strategic Management and Information Technology, John Wiley & Sons, New York.

Chapter 11. Information Strategy

Boar, Bernard (2001) The Art of Strategic Planning for Information Technology, 2nd Ed., John Wiley & Sons, New York.

Chapter 2. Management IT for Competitive Advantage

McNurling, Barbara C. & Sprague, Ralph H. Jr (2004) Information Systems Management in Practice 6^th Ed., Pearson Education Australia, Frenchs Forest, NSW.

Chapter 3. Strategic Uses of Information Technologies

Chapter 4. Information Systems Planning

Turban, Efraim. McLean, Aphraim. & Wetherbe, James (2002) Information Technology for Management 3^rd Ed., John Wiley & Sons, New York.

Chapter 3. Strategic Information Systems for Competitive Advantage.

Ward, John & Peppard, Joe (2002) Strategic Planning for Information Systems 3rd Ed., John Wiley & Sons, Chichester. 

Chapter 3. Developing an IS/IT Strategy: Establishing Effective Processes.

Chapter 4. IS/IT Strategic Analysis: Assessing and Understanding the Current Situation

Chapter 5. IS/IT Strategic Analysis: Determining the Future Potential

Activity 7E SAQ

Consider the range of issues listed in Figures 7.1-7.4 Which do you think will impact most on your selected organisation? Why? How would such issues affect the selection and implementation of IT systems in the organisation? What could be done to ensure that the selected IT systems genuinely play a strategic role in addressing such issues?