IDC IT Strategy Framework

Description

This IDC Perspective emphasizes the critical role of CIOs in aligning IT strategy with business goals, especially given the varied backgrounds of many CIOs. It outlines a six-stage framework to guide the development of a business-aligned IT strategy, starting with understanding the business strategy and goals, followed by a thorough competitive analysis and an evaluation of the current IT landscape. The framework then moves on to defining the IT strategy, conducting a gap analysis, and creating a strategic IT road map. Each stage is designed to ensure that IT initiatives directly support the organization's strategic objectives, enabling CIOs to enhance competitiveness and drive long-term success through technology. "CIOs must move beyond viewing IT as a support function and instead focus the IT organization on transforming the business by enabling the business strategy," says Gerald Johnston, adjunct research advisor for IDC's IT Executive Programs (IEP).

Product Code: US52543624

Executive Snapshot

Situation Overview

Framework
- Stage 1: Understanding the Business: Strategy, Goals and Objectives, and Guiding Principles
  - Importance of Alignment
- Stage 2: Understanding Competitors and How Their Strategy Fits in the Landscape
  - Competitive Analysis
  - Why Do IT Leaders Need to Know the Competitive Position of the Business?
- Stage 3: Current State Analysis of IT and How It Fits the Business Strategy
  - IT Landscape Assessment
  - Alignment with Business Goals
  - SWOT Analysis
  - Why Perform the Current State Analysis
- Stage 4: Definition of the IT Strategy
  - Key Steps in Defining and Refining the IT Strategy
    - Develop the Initial IT Strategy (Straw Man)
- Stage 5: Gap Analysis
  - Identify Gaps
    - Implementation
  - Prioritize Gaps
    - Implementation
    - Root Cause Analysis
    - Implementation
  - Example Scenario
    - Identifying Gaps
    - Prioritizing Gaps
    - Root Cause Analysis
    - Action Plans
- Stage 6: Strategic IT Road Map
  - IT Strategic Road Map
  - Governance and Metrics
    - Implementation
    - Importance of Governance, Metrics, and Communication