Blog #1

Blog #1

Recap from Last Week:

Last week I discussed our first assignment of the semester, my emotions and thoughts about this class, the definition of strategic planning, ideas for strategic planning, possible contacts for my project, and my expectations. I was more secure after I saw the strategic plan of the Association of Junior League International, Inc. I received more knowledge of how a strategic plan operates in a non-profit organization. They gave us notes that discuss the process local Junior Leagues may accept to begin their strategic planning process. The Junior League in Fort Smith, Arkansas completed their strategic planning process last year. They have included information systems as a way to provide online learning and training courses for their membership.

This Week:

1. Briefly describe the main points of what you learned from the readings for the week.

The first main point I learned a lot from the readings this week is the word strategy is a global level of thinking, I thought it was a local, state, and national level of thinking. Strategy is not a local, state, or national level of thinking, it exceeds these limits. A global level of thinking is in reference to the information systems organization, and integration with the reminder of an enterprise. To further define strategy, one would define it as a strategic intent which unites a plan of action in order to achieve a desired and envisioned change. According to Cassidy, information system planning has 7 benefits, for example one benefit I found interesting was “improving communication and the relationship between the business and the IS organization.” I thought the business and the IS organization had great communication but now I understand this is not always the case. I learned there is no " cookie cutter approach" to creating an information system strategic plan, there are numerous models in information system strategic planning. We have been informed about 8 different models: Basic strategic planning, issue based (goal planning), alignment planning, scenario, organic (self organizing), non-profit, applied planning, ICMA (local governments).

The second main point I learned a lot from the readings this week is the information system strategic plan is critical for a business in order to improve communication and the relationship between the business and the information system organization. I thought these two organizations or departments had constant training together but I must admit I am new to this field. The third main point I learned is the information system strategic plan aligns the information system and business to ensure proper alignment. Proper alignment does not include canceled and redundant projects; it creates a unified symbiotic relationship. Operational excellence, customer intimacy, and product leadership assist the information system’s direction and priorities.

The fourth main point I have learned is an information system strategic plan allows a business and an information system to identify new opportunities in order to increase the use of technology. This allows a competitive advantage, increases the value of a business, and it is integrated into all aspects for a business. This process allows the information system strategic plan to flow smoothly without inconsistency, data redundancy, and it assists in minimizing labor.

The final main point that I have learned from the reading is that the information system strategic planning allows an organization to operate more efficiently and effectively and to utilize computing human resources to obtain a favorable value for the organization. My final thoughts about the main points I have learned from the readings are the information system strategic planning’s purpose is to reduce time and wasting money. The information system strategic planning serves to create a plan, a path to execute it, to achieve effective business processes, changes, and priorities. The information system strategic planning approach is to create or add value, establish boundaries for the information system direction, and create unity between the information systems and the business.

2. Identify areas that were a little confusing from the readings.

The first area in the Cassidy book that was the most confusing to me is: Identifying opportunities to use technology for a competitive advantage and increase the value to the business. My question is does this include instructional design and how does instructional design play a role in information systems? The second most confusing area in the readings is again Cassidy, I understood the other readings but Cassidy seems like a foreign language but I think I will learn more as we learn more this semester. I would like to know how a company uses technology. Is it the use of computers, Microsoft, accessing and using a database, using software, and the use of the internet? I am very curious to know. The final confusing area in the readings was identifying opportunities to utilize technology for a competitive advantage. I would like to know about this area and I would like to know how instructional design plays a role? The ICMA was very confusing to me, my question is, is the ICMA planning used for local, state, and national government use for housing, and economic development?

3. Discuss your work on your mini projects and overall technology strategic planning project including successes and setbacks.

So far my mini-projects have been successful but I have been contacting the three contacts since Monday and I have received a reply from all but one.

B. Spearman