Today's technological advances are directly affecting the success of business tomorrow. With recent-- and continual--improvements in technology, many organizations are finding their information systems obsolete, and are having to take a close look at their current Information Systems and answer some tough questions, including: How well are our current Information Systems applications meeting the business needs today? How well can they meet the needs of our business tomorrow? Are we obtaining true value from the investments made in Information Systems? Are we integrating the Information Systems projects that provide the most value to business? What Information Systems mission, objectives, and strategies are necessary to successfully meet the business challenges of the future? A Practical Guide to Information Systems Strategic Planning helps take the "guess work" out of evaluating current and future Information Systems, and provides the necessary tools for maximizing the investment made in new technology. This invaluable guide shows readers how to take advantage of the latest technology available in Information Systems planning, and how to develop a solid Information Systems plan that is directly linked to their business' goals. In an easy-to-follow, hands-on format, this complete reference describes a process for facilitating communication between business management and the Information Systems functions. Both Information Systems Executives and general business executives will find the information they need to develop a successful, value-added Information Systems plan. Readers will find a step-by-step approach to the process of developing an Information Systems plan that helps them gain a competitive edge well into the future.

Table of Contents:
Getting Started o Purpose of Information Systems Strategic Planning o Involvement of the Organization Information Systems Steering Committee Executive Management Information Systems Organization Vendor Review and Implementation Team The Planning Process o Planning Components o Planning Process o Plan o Phase 1 of the Planning Process: Conceptual Business Level Purpose Process Scope Understanding the Business Direction o Document High Level Business Direction o Executive Management Interviews o Summarize and Present the Business Direction o Environmental Requirements o Operating Vision o Phase 2 of the Planning Process: Detailed Business Analysis Information Needs Business Processes Business Requirements Understanding and Communicating the Current Information Systems Situation o Phase 3 of the Planning Process: Conceptual IS Plan and Vision o Current Situation o Information Systems Environment Business Application Environment PC and Local Area Network Environment Network o Organizational Structure o Expenditures o Backlog o Other Locations o Industry Trends o Competitor Profiles Determining the High Level Direction of Information Systems o Mission o Vision o Strategic Objectives o Strategies o Information Systems and the Business Goals o Computing Architecture o Policies and Responsibilities o Annual Objectives o Information Systems Service Architecture Determining the Gap Between Your Current Situation and Where You Want to be in the Future o Phase 4 of the Planning Process: Option Analysis and Action Plan o Business Operating Vision Assessment o Environmental Requirements Assessment o Information Needs Assessment o External Requirements Assessment o Business Application Assessment o Business Requirements Asessment o Technical Computing Architecture Assessment o Service Architecture Gap o Summary of the Gap Determining How to Get to Where You Want to Be o Option Identification o Information Gathering o RFQ Response Review o Option Analysis o Recommendation o ROI Analysis Selling the Recommendation o Management Overview o Plan Document o Executive Committee Presentation What to do Next o Vendor Review and Implementation Team o Project Plan o Project Kick-Off Meeting o Vendor Review o Vendor Selection o Recommendation Appendix