Chap3

Question 1

What does a typical strategic plan include

Answer 1

1. Current information assessment - existing info systems provided, current hardware and software platform, current tech issues, current strength and weakness
2. Strategic Directions - Future info system and strategies to be provided overall strategies for intra-organizational and inter-organizational systems
3. Development strategy - vision statement for infotech , future applications, databases, software, hardware platforms, approach to monitoring strategy (IT Systems keep developing, how are you going to keep yourself up to date. Covers everything for 3 - 5 years)

Usually lasts 3-5 years

Question 2

What does a typical operational plan include

Answer 2

1. Progress report - What we achieved or missed during the initiative, additional initiatives that is embarked on, major hardware or software changes
2. Initiatives to be undertaken - what is to be developed, are there any personnel needed to support your initiative (personnel acquisition and development, financial resources acquisition)
3. Implementation schedule - proposed start and finish dates for milestones, major projects, and control procedures to be adopted

Usually lasts 1-3 years and is a short term plan

Question 3

What are the 4 different types of organizations (McFarlan)

Answer 3

1. Support - both existing and proposed IT system have low importance, low planning needed
2. Factory - existing systems are critical but proposed systems are not so important. Moderate planning needed
3. Turnaround - current systems not critical but proposed system is very important and critical. Moderate to large planning needed
4. Strategic - both current systems and proposed systems are critical to the success of the organization. Large amounts of planning needed

Question 4

What are the 4 different types of organizations (Sullivan)

Answer 4

1. Traditional - low amounts of diffusion and infusion of IT. Low amounts of planning needed. Centralized group
2. Federation - low amounts of infusion but high diffusion in IT. Moderate amount of planning needed. Performed by decentralized group
3. Backbone - high amounts of infusion but low diffusion. Performed by centralized group. Moderate to high amounts of planning needed
4. Complex - high amounts of diffusion and infusion. Performed by both centralized and decentralized planning. Large amounts of planning needed

Question 5

What is a steering comittee

Answer 5

Consists of senior users and senior IS personnel. Conducts IS planning and

Question 5

What is a organizing function

Answer 5

Gather, allocates and structures resources to enable the company goals and objectives of the plan. Should be performed effectively if not IT systems are likely to be ineffecient / ineffective.

Question 6

Resourcing - organizing function

Answer 6

Resourcing - Management must be seen acquiring resources needed in order for goals and objectives of IT system plan. Include software hardware personnel facilities and proper acquisition process must be performed