[AISWorld] What is IS strategy and how to prepare strategic IS plans

[Ross Malaga]

Hi Jeet -

When I teach this (to MBA students) I take the approach of understanding 
an organizations strategic goals.  The IS/T strategy should detail what 
information systems (I use this very broadly to include not just actual 
systems, but really focus on data, processes, etc.) are needed in order 
for the organization to achieve its strategic goals.  This would be the 
same for a marketing strategy or operations strategy.

As IT usually provides support for all parts of an organization this can 
get quite complicated.  Some of this support takes the form of just 
keeping the organization running (updating software, responding to 
network outages, etc.).  I usually discuss this aspect as more 
operational vs strategic.  In addition, IT may be required to help other 
units achieve their strategic plan.  For example, marketing might 
require new or expanded IS (better Web analytics, new CRM, etc.) in 
order to achieve its goals.

So in answer to your main question - what is an IS/T strategy - to me it 
is a plan for the future of IS/T within an organization that needs to 
co-evolve with the strategic planning of the organization AND the other 
units/departments within the organization.

I hope this helps.

Regards,

Ross

Dr. Ross A. Malaga
Professor of Information Systems & Entrepreneurship
School of Business
Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ 07043
malagar at mail.montclair.edu

On 2/7/2015 11:41 PM, Jeet Gupta wrote:
>
> Hello Bob
>
> I am back to with the same questions I had last year when you said you 
> will provide me with some thoughts.  My questions are:
>
> What is an IS/T strategy?  How does one prepare strategic IS plans in 
> an organization?
>
> Also, in a 150-minute class session of MS level IS students, what will 
> you teach for the subject of IS/T strategy?  I am having a difficult 
> time planning this session since a student asked me the question: What 
> is IS/T strategy?  After thinking about it more than a year, I still 
> do not have answered even though I have taught this course for a long 
> time.  I could talk about SIS, what is done in IS from a strategic 
> level, how could we use IS/T for competitive advantage or even IT 
> governance.  But what is IS/T strategy? How do we prepare strategic IS 
> plans>
>
> I know I can define the Operations or the Marketing Strategy. How 
> about IS/T strategy?  What is the relationship with Digital Business 
> Strategy?
>
> Any thoughts?  Any copies of papers and/or slides will be helpful and 
> appreciated.
>
> Best regards,
>
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Jatinder (Jeet) N. D. Gupta, PhD, CFPIM
>
> Associate Dean for Graduate and Sponsored Programs
>
> Director of Integrated Enterprise Lab
> Eminent Scholar and Professor
> College of Business Administration
> The University of Alabama in Huntsville
> 301 Sparkman Drive
> Huntsville, AL 35899
> Phone: 256-824-6593 (office)
>            256-288-0150 (home)
> FAX:    256-824-4712
> E-mail: guptaj at uah.edu <mailto:guptaj at uah.edu>
>
>
>
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