I.T. Strategic Planning
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At this point in the evolution of organizational management, the Strategic Plan is composed of  well defined and refined components.   At the fundamental level, it is composed of the list of goals, objectives, tasks, schedules, assignments and budgets that will implement the Strategic Vision.   As the concept of a Strategic Plan is well defined today, the process of developing a plan is also well defined.  It must be emphasized however, that the Strategic Vision and Strategic Plan are critical to the survival of any organization particularly in the era of E-commerce and E-Government when there are no boundaries and the rules are still emerging.  Organizations public or private, can easily cross over and perform the functions of other organizations.   

(For a new, specialized and accelerated form of planning, see E-Government.) 

The major steps in developing an Information Technology Strategic Plan are as follows:
Vision
Formation
Investigation
Identification
Realization
Finalization

 

Vision

Strategic Vision is described in the page above.

Formation

Develop an understanding of the business
Review the organizational structure
Document and analyze the Business Model
Functions
Processes
Activities
Identify current Systems including hardware, software and networks

Investigation

 
Identify the internal factors that contribute to the organizations success
Identify the internal factors that hinder organizational success
Identify the internal and external factors that will have a positive impact on the organization
Identify the internal and external factors that will have a negative impact on the organization.
Conduct  Structured Interviews of key executives and Stakeholders
Perform a structured needs assessment
Clearly understand the problems of the business

Identification

Isolate and examine information problems
Identify Systems to be modified
Identify interface requirements among existing data bases
Identify and define potential systems to be developed

Realization

Develop mini-studies
Document problems
Document potential systems
Define high level functional requirements
Develop estimated Costs/benefits
Validate potential solutions

 Finalization
Develop task lists and schedules
Agree on priorities
Assignments
Develop funding proposals