IT Strategy Process

IT Strategy Process is the sequential, and systematic steps taken to create an IT Strategy for information technology of an organization.

IT Strategic Planning Process is Phased

An IT Strategy can be developed in phases with each phase a logical grouping of a subset of steps required to create a part of the technology strategic plan with all phases together comprising all the steps required to create an IT Strategy.

IT Strategic Planning Process is Iterative

IT Strategy can also be developed in multiple "do and learn" cycles called iterations. An iterative process to formulate IT Strategy usually results in superior business value creation because the team has the benefit of learning from the previous cycle.

The Complete IT Strategic Planning Cycle

IT Strategy is part of an overall process that starts with the development of a business strategy and ends with an IT Operating Model

• Business Strategy
• IT Strategy (Information Technology Strategy)
• IT Roadmap
• IT Operating Model

Along the strategic planning process, there are critical dependencies between the following:

• IT Governance
• Enterprise Architecture
• Project Portfolio Management (PPM)
• Stage-Gate

IT Strategy Process Help

There are three things that help in the development of strategic plan for information technology:

• IT Strategy Methodology: Development of IT Strategy usually follows a structured approach aka IT Strategy Methodology
• IT Strategy Framework: The "equation" that solved the IT Strategy puzzle or components of IT Strategy and their inter-relationships is called IT Strategy Framework. An IT Strategy Framework when combined with an IT Strategy Process is an IT Strategy Methodology.
• IT Strategy Template: A ready to use, fillable, guideline for the IT Strategy Plan Document
• IT Strategy Tool: A software system to assist with the steps, collaboration and documentation of along the IT Strategy creation journey

IT Strategy Process results in the creation of a strategic plan for information technology. This key deliverable produced by this process is based upon an IT Strategy Template which lays out the key elements of the strategy and plan. Therefore, IT Strategy Template is an integral part of the process to create an IT Strategy.

Examples of IT Strategy Process

There is no industry standard for developing an IT Strategy. Consequently, there are many different processes used for strategic planning in an IT Organization. There are common threads between each of these but each is unique in its own way. Here are some samples of processes used for IT Strategic plan development.

Figure 1: IT Strategy Development Process Steps

source: AE Partners

Figure 2: How to Create a Strategic Plan for IT

source: CSM Technologies

Figure 3: Steps to Develop and IT Strategy (Align Business with IT)

source: CIO Index

Figure 4: IT Strategy Development Process Steps

Figure 5: IT Strategy Development Process Steps

source: Puffin Adviors

See Also

• IT Strategy
• IT Strategy Framework
• IT Capability
• IT Roadmap
• IT Operating Model
• Business and IT Alignment
• IT Strategy Template
• What is the actual process to develop an IT strategy?
• IT Strategy Guide