Discussion post

NOT POSSIBLE W/O IT: Our readings for this week open with the following statement: “…it has become increasingly important that organizational IS/IT investments are seen not only as ways of implementing chosen business strategies but also ways of creating and shaping new strategies-strategies that are not possible without the application of IS/IT.” Discuss this statement. What are those new strategies that are not possible without IS/IT? Focus on your own work organization and cite examples from it.

1. CREATES ITS OWN: In modern strategic planning, “the organization is driven by innovation and becomes capable of creating its own business environment.” Hmm… creating its own environment? What does that mean? How can a company “create” its own environment?
2. FIVE QUESTIONS: Creating a strategy requires answering FIVE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS: (1) where to compete? (2) How to gain an advantage? (3) What assets do we have? (4) What assets are required? and (5) How to change? Paste Fig. 2-3 (p. 55) Select one of these questions (different from the one selected by other classmates, please!) and discuss it. Use examples from your own work organization.
3. OUTSOURCING: In an outsourcing contract, the SLA (Service Level Agreement) has critical importance. What should a proper SLA specify? Who should prepare the SLA, the customer or the vendor? Why?
4. INFRASTRUCTURE: Discuss what is meant by the term IT infrastructure. What are the major components of any IT infrastructure? What elements of IT are not considered infrastructure? Why is the distinction important?
5. VALUE: How can we assign a value (i.e., a dollar figure) to IT services? Where do we get the monetary information from? What parameters can we analyze when considering an IT service’s value?
6. LETTER SOUP: Check the article “The Big -aaS List of As-a-Service Offerings” by R. LaFlamme (https://www.auvik.com/franklyit/blog/aas-as-a-service-list/). Which “…as a Service” option(s) would you consider utilizing in your own work organization and why? Use APA format for references