IT Strategic Planning: A Necessary Tool for Executives - Research Paper

Introduction

The knowledge of information technology has greatly influenced the way business works, the fundamentals, good practice, and the processes of initiating a plan to determine the efficiency of the IT strategy and commitment. It is, therefore, important for an Information Technology executive to consider producing a cohesive, effective, and directive strategic process to enable the involved teams or individuals to perform their duties in any given area. Strategic planning for information technology processes is a critical factor that determines how the company performs. Despite providing a piece of advice for the other departments in an organization, the process of an IT strategic plan is considered as an in-depth process that affects the performance of an organization. It has taken a central position (Cassidy, 2016). The planning process itself provides a way to generate value for the clients and the company. IT strategic plan also acts as an element in an organization that provides a comprehensive technology-based business and management, all the operations work as per the guidelines of the planned process. This paper, therefore, describes the process for an information technology executive in preparing a strategic information technology plan for an organization.

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The strength and accountability of the IT strategic plan have a considerate impact on the organization, therefore a for an IT executive, it is important to consider the effectiveness of the strategy that correlates with the goals and objectives of an organization, the process must be natural and reflects on the purpose of the organization. As a CIO, there are two important factors to consider while creating a strategic IT plan, and these are the short-term and long-term effects of the process, which consist of the costs, labor, and benefits. Determining the long-term visions of an organization in consideration of the mission statement is important to the plan. There are various steps to consider while creating this plan:

Step 1. Create a Team

Preparing an IT strategic plan in an organization is a critical process that involves many components, all that plays a vital role. therefore, as a CIO, it is important to act as a leader with principles and drive the whole process right from the beginning to the end. Therefore, it means that the CIO must develop a team because this process cannot be achieved by one person. the members of the team must be the individuals with a considerate inters in the process and the success of the organization, everyone involved must understand the importance of the strategy and buy into it. Looking for first-hand reports from the individuals that have passion and interest in the strategy would greatly influence the process and brings about a sense of commitment throughout the process. It is also essential to consider involving leaders who need to create a stronger and focused strategy as individuals who get along with the process and have respects would want to be challenged (Wahyudin & Hasibuan, 2015).

Step 2. Consider the Objective of The Business

Every activity in an organization is based on achieving set goals and objectives, and it is therefore important for the CIO to alight the elements of the plan with the objectives of the organization's business strategy. This consideration, therefore, would require the CIO to educate the team to understand the influence of strategy on the actual operations within the organization. by doing so, it creates a platform where vital stakeholders are involved, and the process of providing feedback is made ease.

This step, therefore, requires the CIO to be open to any change or input and, more importantly, to take a firm stand on the factors that matter the most for the strategy to succeed. The critical factor is to ensure that all the executive members accept and understand the essence of the Strategy and effects of the whole process after completion, CIO must reflect on the objectives of the organization to influence positive response from the fellow members of the executive.

Step 3 Create A Proper Plan

The strategic plan should illustrate what needs to be done in at least two years and establish actual parameters. For the CIO, it essential to assume that the members of the team may become less competent concerning some of the factors in achieving the objectives as time goes by, however acritical to keep the focus on the long-term goals (Kamariotou & Kitsios, 2016). The process requires many people to complete some of the tasks which may exceed supply, and the plan, therefore, must consider its effects. It is essential to have all the steps to operate based on the long-term view to enable actual transformation in an organization to be planned and implemented (Meyr, Wagner & Rohde 2015).

Step 4. Ensure That the Architecture Roadmap Is Aligned with The Strategy

It is important to establish an IT strategy plan process with a precise architecture roadmap that entirely relates to the objectives of the strategy. It is, therefore, important to have a clear stand as the CIO on what is needs, givens, and wants. For the process, this step is the most important as it provides an overview of the requirements based on the architecture of the current and well as the future state.

The architectural roadmap of the needs should technically provide a view of maturity for the existing applications as well as the infrastructure of the hardware. It must indicate the lifetime of the equipment and the benefits which may accrue to the company. It is also important to relate the new initiatives in the organization with the improvement of the legacy software because the systems will show the actual check of the things required to maintain the equilibrium of the IT strategy plan (Coltman et al. 2015).

Step 5. Strategic Choices

As the CIO, it is important to make critical and strategic choices that would positively influence the plan and ensure effective implementation. There are essential factors that drive the planning process as well as the implementation, and these include resources and funds. Regardless of the business organization, these factors are essential, and it is, therefore, important to make proper choices that will influence executives as well as the affected stakeholders to participate and contribute to the process. It is, therefore, important to be clear about some of the limitations based on these factors.

Step 6. Comprehend Business of Information Technology

The strategic plan should illustrate a framework on how IT business will be managed, and this is normally referred to as the business of IT. the CIO, therefore, must provide a framework that consists of the architecture of an organization as well as other elements such as capability, structure, and competencies. IT executive is accountable for the whole agenda of the plan and ensure that the business understands the improvement of IT. It is also important to address the prices of execution, engagement, and incorporation models with the organization and, more importantly, how to provide education for some of the methodologies to the team (Cassidy, 2016).

Step 7. Sharing and Sign Off

In order to ensure that the IT strategic plan is successful, it is important to engage other components in an organization using the right channel to communicate the essence of the plan and the expectations. IT executives must share the plan with the members of the executive, peers, and bosses within the department of IT. this process requires planning and repetition in order to ensure that the engagements involved are within the time frame based on the timetable schedule. As the strategy has been signed off, the plan can be shared across the other departments within the organization before execution.

References

Cassidy, A. (2016). A practical guide to information systems strategic planning. Auerbach Publications.

Coltman, T., Tallon, P., Sharma, R., & Queiroz, M. (2015). Strategic IT alignment: twenty-five years on.

Kamariotou, M., & Kitsios, F. (2016, June). Strategic information systems planning: SMEs' performance outcomes. In Proceedings of 5th International Symposium and 27th National Conference on Operational Research (pp. 153-157).

Meyr, H., Wagner, M., & Rohde, J. (2015). Structure of advanced planning systems. Supply chain management and advanced planning (pp. 99-106). Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.

Wahyudin, A., & Hasibuan, Z. A. (2015, October). Research classification in strategic information system planning development: A critical review. In 2015 International Conference on Science in Information Technology (ICSITech) (pp. 287-292). IEEE.