IT Strategy

This page describes what is IT Strategy, the formulation of an IT Strategy and the execution of an IT Strategy.

IT Strategy is "is a comprehensive plan that defines how technology should be utilized to meet IT and business goals. It is a blueprint of how technology can support your overall business strategy. It encompasses all facets of technology management, including cost, hardware and software management, vendor management, and risk management."

Essentially, the IT Strategy is the roadmap a business follows to achieve their IT goals.

Sponsor	Scope	Stakeholders
COO/CIO/Head of IT	IT Function	IT executives and managers Business stakeholders

Sponsors' Concerns

1. IT simplification

2. Application rationalisation

3. IT modernisation

4. IT governance

5. Skills and resources

6. Partnership with service providers

7. IT operating model

8. Management of technical debt

9. Agile vs. waterfall

FORMULATION

PLAN

Discuss with the team leader, sponsor or CIO what the importance of having an IT Strategy is. Capture their views and opinions in order to make a comprehensive IT Strategy.

ENGAGE

Invite stakeholders and discuss the importance of a concrete IT Strategy and the advantages it has on the organisation. Listen to their opinions, concerns and recommendations.

DIAGNOSE

Deep dive into stakeholders' concerns and ideas and filter out the ones with the highest impact on the organisation. Which ones take precedence over the rest?

DECIDE

Create a list or table of concerns and ideas and determine which ones are the most important. This will help with the decision/solution process.

GUIDE

After a decision(s) is made, a guiding policy is created.

DEFINE OKR

Define the objectives and key results of the strategy. What do you want the IT strategy to achieve?

EXECUTION

ACT

REPORT

RETROSPECT