BIS4225.

12
IS Strategy Planning
Approaches

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 Reading Materials
Alter (1999) Chap. 11
Robson (1997) Chap. 6

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 IS Planning
To decide:
What will be done?
Who will do it?
How it will be done?
What will be the (expected) results?

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 IS Planning
Competition Goals History
Resources Objectives Ability to Change
Ambitions Priorities

BUSINESS PLAN
It is clear that
Sales & Marketing
the GOALS and
Production
OBJECTIVES of
Finance an organization
Human Resources drive the
Information Systems IS PLAN.

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 IS Planning
Strengths
Environmental Weaknesses
Changes CORPORATE
Industry
Political/legal, MISSION Changes
Economic,
Social/Cultural,
Technological. Opportunities
Threats
GOALS
OBJECTIVES

IS OTHER
OBJECTIVES OBJECTIVES

IS OTHER
PLAN PLANS
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Approaches to IS Planning
Small companies can
usually manage their
planning fairly informally.
However, large companies
may need the coherence
provided by planning
frameworks.
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Approaches to IS Planning
IS planning needs:
A well-defined planning
process and framework.
A structured and systematic
approach.
To reflect organizational
needs.
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Approaches to IS Planning
There are several approaches.,
Common characteristics are:
They identify relevant business
activities and associated
information needs.
They are set at the same time at the
business strategy.
They provide some means to
compare and evaluate proposed IS.
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Approaches to IS Planning
Generic Sequence of
Planning Steps:
Identify Organizational Activities.
Determine IS Requirements (to
support activities).
Allocate Resources.
Determine Technological Structure.
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Approaches to IS Planning
Two common approaches:
SISP (Strategic Information
Systems Planning)
IEM (Information
Engineering Methodology)

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 SISP Approach
Consists of:
Terms of Reference (TOR)
Project Plan
IS Strategy (Info Architecture,
Applications Development
Portfolio)
IT Strategy
IM Strategy
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 SISP Approach
Information Architecture
Info Systems Data Modelling
(Applications) Activity Modelling
Application Development
Portfolio

Info Tech Info Mgt

(Delivery) (Management)

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 SISP Approach
Terms of Reference:
Scope
Objectives
Resources (people, time,
money)
Constraints
Final Deliverables (Output)
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 SISP Approach
Weakness of SISP
Approach:
Does not have a well-defined
sequence.
A loose framework of
techniques and activities.

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 IEM Approach
Approach:
Uses Business Plan as a
starting point.
Analyzes requirements of
each business area.
Then design systems.
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 IEM Approach
The IEM approach:
identifies a route for
planning.
provides milestones against
which progress can be
tracked.
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 IEM Approach
Route:
Business Business Architectures
Analysis Requirements
Business Strategy Systems Analysis Info Systems
Current Info Mgt Info Needs Priorities Info Technology
Current Tech Env Info Management

Milestones:
Occur at the end of each step
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 Criticisms of Planning
No noticeable improvement
in organizational
performance.
Merely technical solutions.
Business needs changes
rapidly.
Short-term gains?
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