Strategic Planning for Technology Investments

"To make the most of technology investments, governments must understand what they need and how to get it. This is best accomplished through an IT strategy—a comprehensive, dynamic planning document designed to ensure that technology supports organizational objectives. By developing a technology plan through a systematic process such as the one outlined in this article, governments can take much of the mystery out of information systems procurement and implementation and receive a positive return on their technology investments. An IT strategy aligns IT capabilities with organizational needs and provides a useful framework for prioritizing IT initiatives. It determines which IT capabilities need to be augmented and which can be reduced to cut costs. It ensures that risks are considered and managed. And it facilitates an ongoing process by which organizations can maintain alignment and capitalize on opportunities to use IT to achieve their goals."