Components of Project Management and Stakeholder Management
There are several components of project management that encompass the spectrum of project management. Right from the initial setting up of the project to the closure, each phase brings a new set of challenges and components to the art of project management. Specifically, the project manager has to manage the team and take bottom-line responsibility […]
Selecting the Correct Hypothesis Test
Hypothesis testing is a very detailed subject. Understanding how to correctly conduct these tests is beyond the scope of this manual or the Six Sigma methodology itself. However, since the Six Sigma project team is expected to be applying these tests to uncover facts and these facts will then be used to base decisions on, […]
An Introduction to Process Documentation
Multinational companies are facing the problem of knowledge management. Industries like software and ITES hire extremely skilled employees to work for them. However, they face several problems. This is because the skill lies in the “employee’s minds” and not in the system. As a result, if the employee goes on long leave or quits the […]
Do Emerging Markets Represent the New Frontier for Globalization ?
Ever since the onset of the global economic crisis, there has been much talk about how globalization has reached its nadir and that the concept of an integrated global economy leading to prosperity has been discredited. The reason for this cynicism was that many commentators blamed globalization for causing the global economic crisis and plunging […]
BPO and the Transformation of Process Work
In previous articles in this module, we have discussed how the BPO sector has evolved and some future directions for BPO companies in Asia. This article looks at a little known aspect of the BPO phenomenon i.e. the fact that the very nature of the process work has been transformed because of the emergence of […]
In the digital age, information technology plays an important role in the success of an organization. Technology provides edge in this globalized world. Companies are facing competition not only from local companies but from international companies as well.
In such a scenario, it is important that company invest in technology which is aligned with overall strategy of the company. This calls for Mb>technology strategy formulation.
Technology strategy formulation talks about alignment between technology strategy and the overall strategy of the organization. Here the role of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) comes into prominence.
The CIO should have short term as well as long term vision of technology advancement. CIO should bridge implication of technology advancement and organization strategy. A clear communication of technology impact on organization needs to reach executive leadership.
This alignment between CIO and CEO revolves around issues like:
CIO faces challenge to provide technology value adds for organization in achieving its objective.
Corporate planning plays an important role in alignment of technology with organization strategy. In a perfect scenario CIO and CEO will have a same planning horizon. However, it is observed that the CEO and CIO do not share same vision, from planning to execution.
This introduces the concept of planning lead time. In some organization, strategy execution does not match to technology planning horizon and execution. By the time technology strategy is executed, more advancement is observed in that system, thus competitive edge is lost.
In the above scenario, companies become reactive rather than pro-active. Companies need to adjust with challenges posed by market leaders and trend setters. A strong CIO-CEO relationship ensure organization develop understanding of technological challenges and its impact on overall organization.
Organization needs to ensure that their structure is agile and flexible as to accommodate changes in the technology. They should be efficient and effective enough to deal demands of the market change.
Organization needs to develop and maintain technology systems, which are flexible and adaptive. There are three types of technology infrastructure available with companies’ ERP, data warehousing and knowledge management.
All three dimensions ERP, Data Warehousing and Knowledge Management provide cutting edge to the organization.
Organization invests in technology looking at its present needs; future requirements and its capability to provide a competitive edge. Systems can be classified into three categories depending upon technology timeline, new systems, matured systems and declining systems.
New systems have latest technology and provide a competitive edge. As time progresses system and technology are adopted by more companies, thus losing competitive edge. Finally, systems and technology reach the obsolete stage where its usage has declined and is to be phased out.
Executive leadership of organizations is responsible to manage new systems range as to enjoy competitive edge. However, this requires substantial investment and clear vision of future technology state. Therefore, organization has to walk a tight rope in investment in new technology and phasing out the obsolete.
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Communication Systems and Groupware – Information System Concepts that Apply in All Functional Areas of Business
February 12, 2025
