Cisco It Governance

1. I would characterize the IT governance model as one that has place the focus on enterprisewide solutions, while still remaining agile enough to fund smaller, more custom, projects. The goal of Cisco’s IT governance model (BPOC) is to create one unified IT infrastructure that has the capacity to support long term solutions (i.e. Oracle) while still being responsive enough to business unit demands to be able to invest in those areas. The IT governance model has created a central body that has assumed responsibility for the IT investments (even though the BPOC does not fund products, it is clear that without their approval projects stand little chance) and this committee has also done a good job of creating collaboration and alignment between the business units and the IT investments.

2. I think the new behaviors caused by changes in IT governance model will be increased collaboration between business units, and an increased desire to develop projects that can affect the firm on an enterprisewide basis. No longer will individual projects be funded in order to create opportunities for a single business unit. The BPOC will be focused on a centralized process that is focused on improving the processes of the business as a whole. In order for a project to get funded it will have to be cross-functional and will need to stress the importance of the IT investment’s business value.

3. I think that Cisco is positioned better for the future with this new model. In the Weill, Subramani, and Broadbent paper the authors state that “new research indicates that getting the IT-infrastructure balance right requires collaboration by the heads of business lines and IT professionals.” The BPOC appears to be right in line with this statement, and when that is combined with the way that Cisco’s employees are already used to reporting to multiple business functions through direct and “dotted-line” relationships then you have a system set up so that business unit...