Why do we need an IT Strategy?
Lets face it, sometimes things just work out. Most other times, one has to meticulously plan and execute to perfection to create value.
Information Technology is no exception to this aphorism. CIOs who have not taken the time to create an IT Strategy document may be delivering massive value to their business. The odds are low but one cannot deny that planning and execution does not require documentation. However, one can increase their odds documenting their IT Strategy. This is a collaborative effort that puts together a tried and trusted framework with subject matter experts across the spectrum so the final plan document has better odds of success.
In any event, this guide is to help you write an IT Strategic Plan so without further ado, we will dive into the topic at hand.
For a CIO, an IT Strategy is job 1 (arguably, job 2 because job 1 is to run an high availability, low error IT Operation!) because it lays out their vision for the IT Organization and its capability and how they plan on implementing it.
An IT Strategy Plan Document is critical to the success of an IT Organization, the business it supports, and the CIO
What is IT Strategy?
The IT Strategy Plan Document lays out how IT will be used to create value for the business – support business operations and/or create new opportunities, as the case may be. How the business plans on using technology determines the choices a CIO makes on technology capability needed to support these business requirements.
An IT Strategy lays out how IT will create value for the business
How to Create an Effective IT Strategy?
A CIO has roughly two options to create an IT Strategy Plan:
- Do it yourself: put together an internal team to develop the strategic plan for technology
- Hire a consultant: many big name IT Strategy Consulting firms can, for the right price, create an IT Strategy, Plan, and Roadmap for your organization
Well, if you pick option 2, then that brings us to the end of this discussion or does it? You might want to read on.
If you picked option 2, then you have your work cut out for you because this is really not as complicated a task as it is politically charged. Everyone has a view on the best use of information technology, their need is the most important, and they are willing to let someone else die for it. Figuratively speaking, of course!
We’ll let you figure out the internal organizational dynamic and hope you can work it in your favor. We will focus on the resources that can help you do the work of creating a winning IT Strategic Plan.
There are four resources that are essential to writing an IT Strategy Document:
- IT Strategy Presentation: explains the basics of IT strategy – what is it? why is it important? how to create an IT strategy?
- IT Strategy Process: steps to create a strategic plan for IT
- IT Strategy Framework: or Methodology: essential components of an IT Strategic Plan
- IT Strategy Template: a fillable document with each section representing a full or part of a component of IT Strategy
- IT Strategy Example: samples or examples of different types of IT Strategies in action in the real world
All of these could be bundled into one neat IT Strategy Guide.
There is plenty of advice available on the internet with pithy and really promising titles like “How To Develop an Effective IT Strategy For Your Business” and “Definitive Guide to Developing an IT Strategy and Roadmap” and “Developing a Winning IT Strategy” and “How to create an IT strategy.
There are also complete reference guides with Gartner’s being the most prominent.
Then there are books as well that provide guidance on everything related to IT Strategic Planning.
While all these tools are very helpful, we believe that the CIO Reference Library on the CIO Portal is the best resource to develop an IT Strategy. Specifically, the IT Strategy Book of Knowledge provides references on all key aspects of writing an effective IT Strategy:
- Introduction to IT Strategy
- IT Strategy Guides
- IT Strategy Frameworks
- IT Strategy Process
- IT Strategy Samples
- IT Strategy Templates
- IT Strategy Best Practices
- IT Assessment
- IT Innovation
- IT Operating Model
- IT Roadmapping
- IT Strategy Business Case
- IT Strategy Case Studies
Additionally, you can use two IT Strategy Training Courses: