In the traditional IT approach, the pressure to find appropriate solutions rests often on the IT managers. This is not only unfair; it is also an incorrect approach. IT departments are service departments. The strategic and policy decisions on what services will be supplied and how scarce resources will be allocated should be made by the Business Managers of the organization in cooperation with IT Managers. This requires planning to which both the IT Managers and Business Managers should contribute and for which both should feel responsible. This is why IT business plans are developed jointly by the Business managers and IT managers of an organization.
An IT Business Plan comprises a management tool for identifying and addressing developments within the IT function that are required in support of organizational strategic initiatives. The plan is structured to first assess the organization’s current position, challenges and successes together with an analysis of the general objectives of the IT department. It then goes on to review services currently provided by the IT department as well as institutional level developments needs. Finally the plan identifies the implications of those IT development needs and addresses questions of cost and timing.
This 4-stage process, sometimes referred to as the CFGI framework (Current, Future, Gap and Implementation), is the core of any IT Business Plan. There are numerous variations on the theme, but the central requirement is that issues be addressed in a consistent and structured advance.
Developing IT Business Plans for various business sectors is a key component of our services.
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