The positioning adopted by the company, ideally by means of an explicit senior management decision, is probably the most important step to be taken in executing any information systems strategy. For more information: http://www.itmplatform.com/en/blog/2012/10/15/information-systems-strategy-positioning

1. Information systems
strategy management:
positioning
Daniel Piret

2. Information systems strategy management: positioning
• In implementing strategic alignment there are various positionings which can be
established, providing a framework within which the organisation will manage the
application of IT.
• The positioning adopted by the company, ideally by means of an explicit senior
management decision, is probably the most important step to be taken in executing
any information systems strategy. However, what is, if anything, more important than
the decision itself is how the key players actually adopt, understand, share and fulfil
it.
• Possible positionings would include:
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3. 1. Information systems strategy execution positioning
• Implementation of the information systems strategy is used as an operational
cornerstone, derived from a well described and expressed business
strategy, creating stronger links between executive management and information
systems management. In essence, the CIO becomes an additional functional
manager, focusing his efforts on aligning technology with the business model.
• Members of the organisation can be provided with a platform on which to develop
their own initiatives, supported by a framework of consistency and
management, based on the underlying principle of the match between initiatives
and strategic planning.
• The information systems strategy becomes the bedrock of sound project
management, with executive and information systems management ensuring that
this pathway is maintained.
• Costs are given particular importance in that they represent a vital factor in
implementing strategic plans, by performing comparative analysis with the benefits
potentially generated from the business perspective by a specific technological
application.
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4. 2. Technological positioning
• In certain business scenarios, typically with emerging businesses, technology
may be the fulcrum on which the information systems strategy turns.
• In this case, the efforts of Information Systems management will focus on
seeking out innovative technological options, and how they can be
implemented and supported at the organisation with a view to the future. IT
managers will have an IT architect profile.
• With this positioning, senior management defines the company's possibilities in
economic terms, delegating decision-making to the IT division.
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5. 3. Service positioning
• Under this positioning, the focus is on establishing the most efficient way to
deliver the products and services demanded by users. IT management is based
on the technological infrastructure.
• This positioning does not include a vision of the business strategy, with the main
role of Information Systems management becoming that of prioritising projects
and the administration of internal resources. Executive management therefore
plays a more passive role.
• This model typically involves establishing IT as a service or business unit within a
business which must prove profitable.
• Objectives are typically short-term and handled by committees made up of
representatives from the management teams at different areas of the
organisation, debating the priorities of IT projects.
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6. 3. Service positioning
• The role of Information Systems management is that of a service manager
centred on user satisfaction, with the users being viewed as members of the
organisation. The only strategy to be devised is how to respond to the demands of
internal clients.
• Measurement of the level of operational effectiveness is typically performed by
means of Service Level Agreements (SLAs), which provide the measurement
dimensions for services and the model for comparison between standards and
actual data.
• This focus is similar to the use of electric current. Devices are switched on and off
and their power settings regulated as required, with no need to understand the
complexity which lies behind the power socket, simply its cost.
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7. All these positionings may be perfectly valid, depending on how well aligned
they are with the business strategy, or how they suit the company's
management style.
What really matters is that one of them, or a novel combination of them, should
establish the pathway for execution of the Plan, with this decision being shared
and understood by the members of the organisation, at differing intensities.
Otherwise, management, the Information Systems department and user areas
will have different concerns, and some expectations will therefore not be
satisfied.
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8. Si deseas recibir más información
For more information
visita nuestra web
http://www.itmplatform.com/en/bl
http://itmplatform.com/es/blog/2012/
og/2012/10/15/information-
09/17/aumentar-presion-exprimir-
systems-strategy-positioning
equipo
or email us at
o mándanos un email a
info@itmplatform.com
info@itmplatform.com
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