I.T. Strategic Planning – Analysis
We are at the observation or Analysis part of our I.T. Strategic Plan, this area can have many or a few sections, I am listing possible categories or subsections for you to review and consider, and then I will look at each one separately. In this section we will look at the following:
1. Markets
2. Key Success Factors
3. Core Competencies
4. S.W.O.T. (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats)
5. Possible Interrelationships
6. Budget Alignments
7. Planning Observations
These may be the same for you or you may have different categories but you get the idea, all of these mini-descriptions I have been laying out for you, are a framework to work from. The first one we’ll look at today is Markets, we need to determine who your supporting and or selling to internally and externally.
Markets
Depending on how your organization is structured will determine who is who. For example, if your organization has an HQ (Headquarters), multiple businesses under one umbrella, Field staff and customers, you will need to identify who they are and what they do from an access point of view. Each market will require levels of access and different types of information, it could be sales reports, personal data and or customer’s wish to track & see there purchase history.
One market would be internal HQ staff, another would be field staff, if you have multiple companies or offices with multiple databases you would have to break those independent units down. Documentation becomes critical here because you must know exactly what they need, access points, security, data requirements and so on. As you can see this can be a very laborious pile of work, that’s where your work earlier with department heads and subject matter experts pays off. You would already have a requirements document and a wish list, that would be your starting point to map out the details.
Identifying your markets means you most likely understand all the different complex levels of need. For example, HQ staff will want quick access to the seamless information, e.g. a full 360 degree look at a customer, maybe their personal data or a staff member. Field staff who are stretched for time and resources want strong productivity tools. To be able access financial documents and other required reports. This could also serve as clear evidence that you are indeed providing for and supporting staff in the field. Your I.T. Plan can solve a number of technical challenges but it can also restore or maintain confidence in HQ for those who do not work in the Mother Ship. By providing multiple levels of service and support, is the best PR money can buy, provide the best service and all will speak highly of you and your team.
Next I’ll look at the Key Success Factors section.
I.T. Strategic Planning – Action Plans
We’ve covered Vision & Mission, KRA’s and Objectives so far, today I want to talk to you about Action Plans. As you know nothing happens without action of some sort, even writing this article requires action on my part. This area of your strategic plan does not have to be an exhaustive list but a substantial one, these items should also have dates beside them as targets for delivery or completion.
This list might look like a To Do List in or on any other document but this is your bigger picture stuff that goes into your short & long term plans. I am listing for you a few items that might be on your list but you’ll have to assess your situation and build your list. This action list should be in line with some or all items listed in your objectives, this list will cover a broad scope of projects & items you want to get done over the next 12 to 18 to 24 months. Also keep in mind this list is not written in stone, it is like a budget, it’s a guide to keep you on track with the organizations needs. You may make changes to this plan as circumstances arise and technology advances.
1. Identify the most effective software package for the organization – 2Q – 2010
2. Prepare 5 year budget for core applications – 3Q – 2010
3. To prepare a general implementation plan and schedule for core applications for the next 18 – 24 months – 3Q – 2010
4. Develop strategy to train staff – 3Q – 2010
5. Complete a formal review of Network Infrastructure – 2Q – 2010
This list could have over 20 projects or items on it, it’s like a to do list you want to complete in a timely fashion in the upcoming months. At this point you have been assessing your organizations needs and requirements, then documenting your findings. You should have met with all departments and subject matter experts to learn as much as you can about the current shortcomings of your existing core applications. You also would have collected a wish list from each department to assist in assessing or identifying the appropriate software package that will handle 80 – 90% of the organizations process. Your goal is to make the staff’s job easier and giving customers better support by automating as many processes as possible.
As you can see these plans can take on different shapes and sizes but you as the I.T. Leader must know your organizations needs, if you don’t, that’s your first task before you can build an intelligent I.T. Strategic Plan. In the next part of our mock plan, we will shift gears and move into the Analysis part of our plan.
Oil Change for Single Mom's – Cedar Brook Church
I just had to share with you an event we held today at the Immel Plaza in Abbotsford, B.C., our little church held an oil change for single mother’s in our community. The program was simple really, we had single Mother’s book in advance to get the oil changed in their car. As an added bonus we had a crew also clean the inside of the car, vacuumed, ArmorAll for polishing up the leather & dash and such, along with cleaning all the windows too. Here are a couple picture’s I snapped this morning.
Making a contribution in your community goes along way, whether it be an oil change or just a card, you can make a huge impact on someone’s life with a small random act of kindness. This applies to online as well, you are what makes the difference in people’s lives, be it positive or negative, we all make an impact on some level. What is your impact…positive or negative?
You don’t have to go to church to hold these events, build community, build trust by loving your neighbor. Many Blessings.
I.T. Strategic Planning – Objectives
In an earlier post I covered what your KRA’s might look like, in this article I want to go over what your objectives might be in your plan. You know better than I what the hot buttons are in your organization, the critical over the urgent and so on. But your plan is about the bigger picture so you need to always be looking ahead and plan accordingly. You want to also consider dates or deadlines on these objectives, otherwise you may never deliver in a timely fashion.
Here is an example list of Objectives:
1. Implement Core Applications – 1Q – 2011
2. Provide constituent self-serve 24/7 – 3Q – 2010
3. Provide Infrastructure to Support XYZ Application – 2Q – 2010
4. Train staff on all core applications – 4Q – 2010 (before launching)
5. Provide Data to staff where and when they might need it and in the format they want it in. – 4Q – 2010
Traditionally, after you have identified your objectives you would then look at your action plans and set dates for those items as well. I’ll cover that step in our mock I.T. Strategic Plan.
I.T. Strategic Planning – KRA's
Possibly the third step in your plan will be a category called KRA ( Key Result Areas). This area will be different for each organization, this is due to different infrastructures and software that may already be in place. This is more of an observation and desire to improve on existing services provided by your current I.T. team.
I have listed 5 items below that might be on your list under KRA’s, also keep in mind every experienced I.T. leader will view these items differently and might not agree so try to keep an open mind.
Key Result Area’s
1. Integrate Core Application – you may have multiple applications that don’t speak to each other and you want to solve this short coming.
2. Constituent Self-serve Via the Internet – you may want to give more and easier access to data via the internet to staff.
3. Realign and Train Existing Staff – an obvious one for improving the skill set of all staff members using core applications
4. Improve Support To Field Staff – if you have staff in the field, your goal should be to get them more connected to HQ or central office.
5. Provide a stable IT Infrastructure – this should be an ongoing goal from day one and never end.
I hope that helps you in designing your I.T. Strategic Plan, your list will look different based on organizational needs, but you get the idea.
Feel free to leave questions and comments below, until next time.