Information Systems Strategy

1
Information Systems Strategy

• Balances Internal and External Factors,
• over Time

Factors External to the Organisation
Competitive Forces within an Industry (Porter,
Robson)
Environmental Influences (PEST analysis)
Integrating and directing corporate knowledge
Factors Internal to the Organisation
Internal Stages of Growth (Nolan, Earl)
Supporting the Internal Value Chain (Porter)
Critical Success Factors Core Competencies
2
Porters 5 Forces
Threats of new entrants
Threats of substitute products or services
3
Robson
4
Earl

• - learning curves

Web commerce
Office Automation
PCs
Learning
Database
Data Processing
Time
5
Strategic Applications Portfolio

• Assessing the Strategic Impact of Applications

Turnaround
Strategic
Directly contributes to competitive
advantage (ideally, sustainable competitive
advantage)
Is intended to be strategic, is in the process of
piloting or deployment
Support
Factory
Enables the firm to carry out its
operations (bread and butter applications)
Helps operators and managers do their jobs more
efficiently
6
Internal Value Chain
Support
Fin. Planning, Building mgmt
CAD, Market analysis/modelling
Personnel distribution and development
Online ordering via EDI / www
Auto. W/housing
Order proc.
Telesales
Maint. Scheduling
MRP
Primary
7
IS in the Value Chain
Primary or Support Activity?
Providing what?
Computers
Advice
Systems Maintenance
8
SWOT Exercise
STRENGTHS
WEAKNESSES
Internal, within the companys control
Internal, within the companys control
THREATS
OPPORTUNITIES
External, outside the companys control
External, outside the companys control
9
IS Projects and Strategy

• Projects should flow from strategy
• Should be part of delivering strategic processes
• Should re-inform strategy process