Unit 6: Creating a Technology Strategy
One of the overall goals of this course is that you would learn how to think strategically in relation to the use of information technology. As you learned in an earlier unit, making good use of social media technologies are a key part of many organizations' technology (and marketing) strategies. In this unit, you will focus on how to develop a strategy for using social media in your organization.
Completing this unit should take you approximately 7 hours.
Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- compare and contrast different theories of information systems strategies;
- explain the strategic planning process; and
- create an information systems strategy.
6.1: Theories of Information Systems Strategies
The introduction to this chapter provides an overview of the many aspects of business that managers must consider when setting an information systems strategy. Among the strategies discussed are operational effectiveness, fast follower, first mover, and strategic positioning. Each strategy, plus any others you may be able to identify, have their strengths and their weaknesses. In your notes, list each of the strategies and name a strength and a weakness of each.
6.1.1 Mobile Strategy
Each of the next three resources discusses one approach to developing a strategy for mobile. Read this article and watch the embedded video. In this first case, the company focused heavily on different ways to reach their customer, but ultimately, the company spent little time planning how to engage or retain customers after they have accessed the mobile site. What are the pros and cons of this mobile strategy?
6.1.2 Mobile Application Strategy
This is the second of three approaches to mobile strategy in this subunit. This article discusses the use of a mobile application in addition to a mobile-friendly web presence. This strategy goes beyond reaching customers and starts to consider how to engage with them. What are the pros and cons of mobilizing your content marketing?
6.1.3 Mobile Content Strategy
This third strategy approach focuses on the types of devices being used, where they are being used, and how they are being used. What are the pros and cons of having a very detailed mobile strategy? Write down some notes about how each strategy from this subunit succeeded and how they faltered.
6.2 The Strategic Planning Process
Read this chapter. Pay particular attention to what you read in section 2.2 and watch the embedded videos. This section serves as a guide on how to write an strategic plan by guiding you through the situation analysis and developing an organizational strategy formulation. Then, beneath section 2.4, the authors make the following point:
"The strategies and actions implemented at the functional (department) level must be consistent with and help an organization achieve its objectives at both the business and corporate levels and vice versa."
In practical terms, think about implementing a new IT strategy at a medium sized firm (20–199 employees). Who would need to be involved in the planning and implementation of the strategy? Share your thoughts on the discussion forum.
6.3: Developing an IT Strategy
Watching this video is optional but provides a detailed, step-by-step plan on how to create your own technology plan. The speaker covers hardware, software, competitive strategies, and cloud computing.
Unit 6 Activity: Writing Your Own IT Strategy
