IT strategic planning should be a dynamic process that allows team autonomy but maintains accountability. It also avoids focusing on functionality that may not significantly impact overall business outcomes. Identifying opportunities, risks and relative priorities are involved for addressing them. It typically requires research, including market and customer insights.
Objectives
This phase aims to translate the goals described in the IT Strategy into an implementable plan. It requires considering the existing IT environment and the resources and interests of the affected supporting units. Also necessary to consider the IT organization’s culture and values, e.g., the degree to which a company supports innovation and risk-taking. It is reflected in architectural principles and IT guidelines, which should be clearly defined so that they can be applied in the day-to-day work of the IT teams. To recognize and resolve various challenging technical challenges, managed IT services Charlotte NC providers have a team of experts on staff.
The IT strategic plan should also consider that most truly strategic choices involve a trade-off in opportunity cost. It is, therefore, important to be able to say “no” to initiatives that won’t enhance the company’s long-term IT position. It can be done using a clear set of IT priorities communicated and established through the IT strategic planning process.
Resources
The IT strategic planning process has to consider the resources available within the existing IT infrastructure and the needs of the supporting business units. These factors will typically determine if the IT strategy can be implemented and how successful it will be. A proper communication framework is essential for ensuring the successful execution of the IT strategic strategy. It includes appointing a strategy director, training the team on using IT strategy, and effectively driving accountability. It is also important to schedule meetings at regular intervals and choose a channel for daily communication.
The IT strategy’s goals should describe functional development at the company level, including milestones and a timeline for implementation. These should also consider the impact of the new IT capabilities on other parts of the business. For example, launching a digital educational platform might preempt new entrants into the market, but it could also cannibalize profits from legacy products.
Implementation
Implementation is the process of bringing strategic goals to fruition. It involves establishing what tasks will be completed, who is responsible for each job and how each step will be carried out. It also includes setting deadlines and identifying potential obstacles derailing the implementation process. Managers need to ensure they are available to guide their teams through each step of the process. Proper communication can facilitate this by making it easier to check in with groups, communicate feedback and mark milestones.
Managers should also ensure they have the right tools, technologies and systems to support the implementation process. It is important to remember that even if all of the above steps are followed, it doesn’t guarantee success. Much like growing a garden and planting the seeds of your vegetable plot, unforeseen obstacles will arise. Those who are flexible will be able to adjust their strategies and still achieve their desired results.
Prioritization
To prioritize projects effectively, IT employees must first gather all necessary information. It includes collecting and sharing the business vision, strategy, and direction for the team to make sound decisions. Next, the IT team must create an objective system for weighing and evaluating project proposals. Using a criteria-based matrix is a great way to achieve this. This matrix type allows the IT team to compare projects based on specific criteria defined by the team rather than on the traditional method of prioritizing tasks based on resource availability.
It is also important to regularly reassess the IT department’s priorities and resource allocation. It can be done by comparing the value of each project to the current business needs and the time commitments of the IT team. It’s important to remember that the ability to prioritize tasks is a skill that improves with use. Seasoned IT managers can often be tempted to protect their favorite projects even when the company would benefit from being canceled to free up resources for higher-priority tasks.
