Information Resource Mgt

"The newest computer can merely compound, at speed, the oldest problem in the relations between human beings, and in the end the communicator will be confronted with the old problem, of what to say and how to say it."

-EDWARD

R. MURROW, 1964

"1 think there is a world market for maybe five computers."

-THOMAS 1. WATSON, Chairman IBM, 1943

Preview of Chapter

The concepts presented in this text revolve around Strategic Alignment among the Information Technology (IT) and business functions (c. G., Marketing, R & D, Finance) of organizations. Strategic alignment describes an environment in which the business strategy and business infrastructure of an organization are aligned with the Information Technology strategy and infrastructure. It implies that the business functions are integrated with the IT function in the development of business strategies and goals, and that the ultimate success of an organization is dependent on this alignment. This chapter discusses some of the reasons the management of Information Technology has become an important consideration for most organizations. The ability to assess the current state of alignment among the business and IT functions is the aim of the Strategic Alignment Maturity Assessment discussed in the following chapters. This model provides the structure for this text. It describes six categories that can be used to determine how well the business and IT functions are aligned, and how this alignment might be improved. The categories are partnership, scope and architecture, skills/human resources, governance, communications, and competency/value. The important considerations in improving the maturity of each of these areas will be the focus of this text. Much of the material in this text is based on research and experience in large and mid-sized organizations. However, the pervasiveness of Information

Technology has affected many small businesses as well. The implication is that even small organizations must...