ABDUL- RAHMAN AL- SUMAIT UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE (ICT)

SUBJECT NAME : INFORMATION SYSTEM STRATEGY

YEAR : THIRD YEAY

LECTURER : Mr. NASSOR A HAMAD.

ASSIGNMENT : INDIVIDUAL ASIGNMENT

NAME OF STUDENT : HIDAYA HAMAD RASHID

REGISTRATION .NO : 17/ICT/008

HANDOUT DATE : 14/08/2020

SUBMISSION DATE : 20/08/2020.

 Information Systems Strategy

What is Information System Strategy?

Strategic information systems (SIS) are information systems that are developed in response to
corporate business initiative. They are intended to give competitive advantage to the
`organization. Its role is to support the key aspects of running an organization, such as
communication, record-keeping, decision making, data analysis and more. Companies use
this information technology to improve their business operations, make strategic decisions and
gain competitive advantages.

Strategic Information Systems are systems that help organizations modify their business

strategies, plans or structure. They are also used to speed up the feedback time of the
environmental changes and aid the organization to achieve a competitive advantage over its
competitors.

The information required to support business strategy and the development of information
systems relevant to providing such information needs to be planned and fitted with each other.

What is Business Strategy?

A business strategy refers to the actions and decisions that a company takes to reach

its business goals and be competitive in its organization. It defines what the business needs to do
to reach its goals, which can help guide the decision making process for hiring and resource
allocation.
Example of business strategies are
 Most innovative product or service.

 Grow sales from new products.

 Improve customer service.

 Cornering a young market.

 Product differentiation.
 Pricing strategies.

 Technological advantage.
The business strategy of the company is very important in planning for information systems.
The information systems plan is drawn up in a way that it supports the strategic objectives of the
organization even in the near future. It is for this reason that the strategic role of information
system has to be clearly defined in the planning processes itself.

What does business alignment mean?

Strategic alignment, for us, means that all elements of a business including the market strategy
and the way the company itself is organized are arranged in such a way as to best support the
fulfillment of its long-term purpose.

Organization alignment provides greater transparency around who holds the decision rights in
the organization for each work activity. Organization alignment also allows employees to focus
on performing work rather than on figuring out who is supposed to do what and who needs to be
consulted when making decisions

Why business IT alignment is important?

Business and IT alignment is critical for market impact and growth. This tactic means as
business goals pivot, IT can more readily respond with necessary solutions to support and
maintain enterprise momentum. In turn, technological advances and improvements are hardwired
into current and future strategies and initiatives.

Achieving IT-business alignment: best practices.

1. Change your thinking, change your doing. ...

2. View IT as an instrument for business transformation. ...
3. Make the customer experience .
4. Use a single language.
5. Be equally transparent to all departments.
6. Rotate IT and business employees to encourage understanding
 Why business IT alignment is important?

Business and IT alignment is critical for market impact and growth. This tactic means as
business goals pivot, IT can more readily respond with necessary solutions to support and
maintain enterprise momentum. In turn, technological advances and improvements are hardwired
into current and future strategies and initiatives.

How do you align organizational goals?

The following are five methods to align these goals for mutual success:

1. Clear organizational goals.

2. Communicate the organizational strategy and vision relentlessly.
3. Employees set their own goals within the company framework.
4. Avoid incentives; focus on attaining goals.
5. Hire only the cultural fit.

Alignment of information systems (IS) strategy with business strategy is an important

objective if organizations are to use information technology resources effectively.
Using information systems effectively requires an understanding of the organization,
management, and the technology shaping the systems.

All information systems can be described as organizational and management solutions to

challenges posed by the environment.

The advances in information systems have affect on our day-today lives. As the technology is
growing . So are the opportunities in a healthy way to prepare the organization in the competitive
advantage environment In order to manage the IS/IT based systems, it is important to have an
appropriate strategy that defines the systems and provide means to manage them.

Strategic Information Systems Alignment (SISA) is an effective way of developing and

maintaining the IS/IT systems that support the business operations. Alignment of the IS/IT plans
and the business plans is essential for improved business performance.
 The Importance of Aligning Information Systems Strategy with Business Strategy 

Both IS strategy and business strategy are independent of each other but I decided to use
the concept where the IS strategy and business strategy must be integrated to drive the
success of a business. This is shown within the framework of the Information Systems
Strategy Triangle.

Alignment is required for success. there are higher states such as synchronization and
convergence. Synchronization involves not only allowing technology to enable current business
strategy but it should also anticipate and shape the future business strategy. Convergence means
that both the IS strategy and business strategy are intertwined. the use of information systems
within a business context.

Information systems are the technology used to drive a business forward. Without an information
system, a business cannot survive in today competitive business environment. Information
systems have massive advantages for businesses; they allow information to be obtained at a fast
speed, provide efficiencies beyond the ability of the human brain, allow businesses to stay ahead
of their competitors, enhance communication and in turn allow for greater revenue and profits.

The IS strategy, in my opinion, is positioning the correct information systems within an

organization, used to their maximum efficiency and potential, to drive a business forward.
Business strategies, in my understanding, are the goals and plans a business have to achieve a
higher position in the market than their competitors. A great business strategy allows for higher
market share, more satisfied employees, better customer experience of products and services and
higher profits. A business strategy is required for a organization to grow.

Summary

Alignment is critical to the successful deployment of IT within the business. Alignment requires
the involvement of Business as well as IT management. Alignment involves attitude changes in
both IT and the business. Alignment is a process not a project.

REFFERENCES

Cresap, McCormick, and Paget, Information Systems Planning to Support Business Objectives:
A Survey of Practices.

[1] New York: Cresap, McCormick, and Paget Co., 1983. Henderson, J.C. and N. Venkatraman,
Strategic Alignment: Leveraging Information Technology for Transforming Organizations.

[2] IBM Systems Journal, 1993, 32(1), 4-16. Jang, Si Young, Influence of Organizational Factors
on Information Systems Strategic Planning. Unpublished Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh,
1989.

[3] King, William R. Strategic Planning for Management Information Systems. MIS Quarterly,
1978, 2(1), 27- 37.

[4] Leader, Albert L. and Vijay Seth, The Implementation of Strategic Information Systems
Planning Methodologies. MIS Quarterly, 1988, 12(3), 445-461.