How the right ICT strategy can sharpen your competitive edge

Collecting, storing, interpreting and presenting data – and thus turning it into information – is increasingly critical in operational management and decision-making. This is why organisations need a solid Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Strategy, which provides both a practical long-term action plan to ensure that ICT supports their business goals and, set in the context of a rapidly changing technology environment, a set of guidelines against which tactical ICT decisions can be made rapidly as they occur. For any ICT strategy to be effective it must be clearly aligned with the organisation’s strategy - and this is where all too many ICT strategies fail.
Aligning the ICT strategy with the business strategy requires two conditions to be satisfied:

• it must fit with the business requirements and boundary conditions, reflecting the characteristics of for example the value chain or the market and enabling superior operational performance; and
• it must, as much as possible, provide elements of demonstrable strategic advantage, pursuing ways of exploiting ICT to support the organisation’s ambitions.

Scope

PSM’s approach to ICT Strategy development always starts from the client’s business strategy, the existing ICT strategy, the current ICT systems and architecture, complemented with input from key stakeholders at all levels to identify instances of gaps, overprovision and good practice. The resulting picture is combined with the long term direction and goals of the organisation, thus providing practical strategy advice and guidance which stakeholders feel ownership of, having been involved in its development.
In particular, we identify key risks and areas of cost and work with our clients to prioritise these,  ensuring that there are clear links from each recommendation to the business strategy – so that if, in later reviews, the business strategy changes, it is clear where the ICT strategy needs changing also.
Once a robust and practical ICT strategy is established, we work with our clients to advise on the ideal frequency of ongoing review based on the individual needs of the organisation and its strategy. Some elements of the ICT strategy will need to be reviewed more frequently than others, but a complete ICT strategy review should be scheduled to coincide with the organisation’s strategy review as a basic minimum.

Competences

PSM’s consultants use their wide experience in both business and technology areas (gained across public and private sector organisations alike) to help clients ensure the links between business strategy and ICT strategy are effectively developed and reinforced. Our consultants draw upon an average of 20 years ICT experience in senior management roles, which has given them not just first-class technical expertise, but also the skills to work in often politically charged situations with all levels of stakeholder from the board to the operative. They deliver practical, independent and objective recommendations that make a genuine demonstrable difference to operations and ultimately to the bottom line.

"An independent, honest, external view is essential to any organisation seeking to respond to the changing business environment and achieve its mission to deliver the best possible service. Your Consultants have these attributes and made a significant contribution in assisting us to attain our on-going developmental goals."
Chief Executive Officer, JANET