ModMeters and the IT Planning Process

The purpose of this briefing note is to provide recommendations for Metapath Software Corp. (“Metapath”) on its financing offers received in September 1997.

In the “Mini Case Study: IT Planning at ModMeters”, it is clear that the communication skills between the business managers and the IT managers were in need of improvement. IT planning is a method used to form clear objectives for IT organizations that connect directly back to the enterprise’s strategic business goals (“IT planning”, 2014). IT strategic planning assists in directing the business strategy, based on IT capabilities and opportunities and determines IT’s role in delivering the business strategy. There is a clear lack of communication and individual opinions on taking ModMeters global. Although CEO John Johnson and other high leveled corporate employees believed the idea was promising and seemed to look good on paper, Brian Smith, CIO of ModMeters had different thoughts on the expansion. Brian Smith knew that although the new initiatives were theoretically doable; however with such tight resources including people, time, and money, he knew that finding the means to support two new strategic initiatives was nearly impossible (McKeen, J.D., & Smith, H.A., 2012, p. 69). There seemed to be a major lack of communication when planning the new initiatives and the miscalculation of funds to do it successfully.

In order to leverage IT for the benefit of the whole organization enterprise architecture must be developed to oversee IT strategy. Centralizing IT strategy at the start of the new business strategies will be important to make sure IT and business are working together with common goals that deliver the most value. The following steps are to be completed within each department:

offer a fully integrated solution of strategy, operations, and information technology was key to its

Developing an IT Strategy for Meadow Hills Hospital would likely revolve around bolstering the clinical side of IT. An IT Strategy would assist the organization in knowing how and where to invest the money stored in their reserves. This can also ensure that their IT goals are in line with their overall organization goals. As they are currently organized, IT reports up to the CFO. This is a formula to ensure that IT goals

A. Key aspects of the IT infrastructure that must be in place to support the growth strategy

Each business and organization has their own way on how the operate as well as how they organize within their organization. Different organizations have different operations, responsibilities as well as services that they provide. When organizations are operating they have certain plans, policies, and rules to develop and follow in order to have efficient strategies. When a new project is put into effect, the strategies will then need to be put into effect. When organizations such as Target implements the organizing functions of management, Target will need to use many different resources in order to aid their organization.

More advantages of having an enterprise architecture include improved decision making, improved adaptability to changing demands or market conditions, elimination of inefficient and redundant processes, optimization of the use of organizational assets, and minimization of employee turnover (Rouse, 2015). The cost-savings, business improvement, new customer segments and major new competitive strategies can bring significant return on investment (ROI) utilizing the enterprise architecture program. The strategic planning process which converts a business vision and strategy into an effective enterprise change is the goal of enterprise architecture program (McGovern, Ambler, Stevens, Linn, 2004).

McKeen, James D; Smith, Heather (2012). IT strategy: Issues and practices (2nd ed.). Boston: Prentice Hall. Kindle Edition.

Unfortunately this long standing notion amongst the board that IT appears to be more of a waste of time and resources than an opportunity for change and capitalization of strengths across the business is a major issue when switching from a bottom line to top line approach. Co-operation between the IT strategy and the business strategy is a fundamental step towards aligning the business for top-line growth. As such the relationship between the architect and senior management must be open and unbiased for the best results to be yielded.

A: Well, the projects at ModMeters would be to rework the entire IT budget without sacrificing manufacturing’s money (department that brings in most money), they also need to prepare to expand globally with new equipment and expanding architecture, along with getting new programs that talk better with each other and a new website. They need to be prioritized by which makes the most money in the quickest amount of time. Businesses cannot afford to waste time because it is directly connected to their finances. And again, they need to be budgeted by what benefits the company most. If it’s the manufacturing department that is their huge moneymaker, than they need to continue to feed manufacturing with cash. The budget has to be built around what ModMeters successful.

Strategy- Decide on an IT strategy that will be followed but allows some flexibility as technology and needs change. Set up goals and define objectives for the IT department that align with overall company objectives. Review these objectives

Alignment of an enterprise’s goals with its IT1 and IS1 systems has been a challenge ever since IT became a business enabler. Proposing an IT alignment requires a thorough understanding of the business goals of the enterprise and the knowledge that alignment is an iterative process which requires constant measurement and honing (Chan, 2002). Enterprises often face the problem of balance of priorities between IT and Business objectives. This report deals with one such case that faced alignment and prioritization hardships resulting in an unclear approach to achieve a corporate strategy.

The added IT solutions will help in improving company’s scalability. Using these solutions, in a long run, will help the company in expanding its customer base and its reach across the country.

Frenzel (2004) claimed that to be successful, a firm’s IT management team must take action on the following critical areas: business management issues; strategic and competitive issues; planning and implementation concerns; and operational items. If for any reason, the organisation experiences difficulties in the above areas, the manager will need to set goals and objectives to overcome and prevent these issues.