Copyright 2003 Monash University IMS5042 Information Systems Strategic Planning Week 12: Reconciling Theory and Practice (and preparing for the exam)
Copyright 2003 Monash University 2 Agenda The unit in review Setting the context for practice Issues in planning practice The exam and exam preparation
Copyright 2003 Monash University 3 1. The unit Purpose Desired outcomes Expectations
Copyright 2003 Monash University 4 Unit purpose Introductory Contextual Selective Issues-based Evolutionary (trends and patterns)
Copyright 2003 Monash University 5 Desired unit outcomes Familiarity with the major themes and the key writers who shaped them Familiarity with the issues and controversies Understanding of how planning fits within the broader context of IS and IM in organisations Understanding of what an IS strategic planner should be thinking about when deciding how to do an IS strategic plan NOT “the answers”! NOT “the method”!
Copyright 2003 Monash University 6 Expected unit outcomes Ability to explain and describe Ability to criticise and evaluate Ability to set out the main debates/controversies/issues Ability to see directions and changes in direction in thinking about planning and IS Ability to relate to the broader issues of IS and IM (A level of confusion!)
Copyright 2003 Monash University 7 2. Setting the context for practice Academics can indulge themselves and focus only on theory …. … Practitioners (most/all of you) have to worry about practice Theory provides a useful framework/background for practice (but can’t provide ‘the answers’) Practice is ALWAYS based on some form of theory (whether explicit or implicit) Good practitioners can relate their ideas about practice back to theory
Copyright 2003 Monash University 8 Setting the context for practice The practice of IS planning is based around: Ideas (theories) about what IS is about; Ideas (theories) about what planning is about; Ideas (theories) about what IS planning is about This unit has tried to heighten your awareness about what some of these theories are and what they mean for planning practice
Copyright 2003 Monash University 9 Setting the context for practice IS Planning Theory Planning Theory IS Theory IS Planning Practice
Copyright 2003 Monash University 10 What is IS planning practice? IS Planning Theory Planning Theory IS Theory Aspects of IS Planning Practice: Why plan? What do we plan about? Who plans? When do we plan? How do we plan?
Copyright 2003 Monash University 11 What is planning theory? IS Planning Theory IS Planning Practice IS Theory Aspects of Planning Theory: Comprehensiveness? Rationality? Determinism? Directedness? Formalisation? Utopianism? Unity? Democracy?
Copyright 2003 Monash University 12 What is IS planning theory? IS Planning Practice Planning Theory IS Theory Aspects of IS Planning Theory: Stages of growth? CSFs? IT for CA? BPR? Alignment?
Copyright 2003 Monash University 13 What is IS? IS Planning Practice Planning Theory IS Planning Theory Aspects of IS: Technology? Systems? System architectures? Information? Business directions?
Copyright 2003 Monash University Planning Practice: Issues Why plan? What is in the plan? Who plans? When do we plan? How do we plan?
Copyright 2003 Monash University 15 Planning Practice Issues: Why plan? What is in the plan? Who plans? When do we plan? How do we plan?
Copyright 2003 Monash University 16 Planning Practice Issues: What do we plan about? What is the Who plans? When do we plan? How do we plan?
Copyright 2003 Monash University 17 Planning Practice Issues: Who plans? Planners? Everyone? External consultants?
Copyright 2003 Monash University 18 Planning Practice Issues: When do we plan? Once every X years? Whenever there is a need for a new plan? Continuously?
Copyright 2003 Monash University 19 Planning Practice Issues: How do we plan?
Copyright 2003 Monash University 20 Why plan?: Planning philosophy Comprehensive Rational Deterministic Directed Formal Utopian Unified Democratic Partial/incremental Political Contingent Emergent Ad hoc Pragmatic Pluralist Dictatorial
Copyright 2003 Monash University 21 Why plan?: IS Theory Technological infrastructure and management Systems and applications development and management Organisational functions; systems and application architecture Information needs; information architectures Business and organisational directions and strategy
Copyright 2003 Monash University 22 Why plan?: IS Planning theory Stages of growth; technological innovation; organisational maturity; technological maturity; planning maturity CSFs; management control and decision- making; management information needs IT for competitive advantage: role of ISIT in organisational competitiveness; using IS to achieve competitive advantage BPR: Importance of radical business process change; revolution vs evolution Alignment approaches: identifying the elements of planning success; fitting the planning approach to the organisation
Copyright 2003 Monash University 23 Plan about what?: Planning philosophy Comprehensive Rational Deterministic Directed Formal Utopian Unified Democratic Partial/incremental Political Contingent Emergent Ad hoc Pragmatic Pluralist Dictatorial
Copyright 2003 Monash University 24 Plan about what?: IS Theory Technological infrastructure and management Systems and applications development and management Organisational functions; systems and application architecture Information needs; information architectures Business and organisational directions and strategy
Copyright 2003 Monash University 25 Plan about what?: IS Planning theory Stages of growth; technological innovation; organisational maturity; technological maturity; planning maturity CSFs; management control and decision- making; management information needs IT for competitive advantage: role of ISIT in organisational competitiveness; using IS to achieve competitive advantage BPR: Importance of radical business process change; revolution vs evolution Alignment approaches: identifying the elements of planning success; fitting the planning approach to the organisation
Copyright 2003 Monash University 26 Who plans?: Planning philosophy Comprehensive Rational Deterministic Directed Formal Utopian Unified Democratic Partial/incremental Political Contingent Emergent Ad hoc Pragmatic Pluralist Dictatorial
Copyright 2003 Monash University 27 Who plans?: IS Theory Technological infrastructure and management Systems and applications development and management Organisational functions; systems and application architecture Information needs; information architectures Business and organisational directions and strategy
Copyright 2003 Monash University 28 Who plans?: IS Planning theory Stages of growth; technological innovation; organisational maturity; technological maturity; planning maturity CSFs; management control and decision- making; management information needs IT for competitive advantage: role of ISIT in organisational competitiveness; using IS to achieve competitive advantage BPR: Importance of radical business process change; revolution vs evolution Alignment approaches: identifying the elements of planning success; fitting the planning approach to the organisation
Copyright 2003 Monash University 29 When to plan?: Planning philosophy Comprehensive Rational Deterministic Directed Formal Utopian Unified Democratic Partial/incremental Political Contingent Emergent Ad hoc Pragmatic Pluralist Dictatorial
Copyright 2003 Monash University 30 When to plan?: IS Theory Technological infrastructure and management Systems and applications development and management Organisational functions; systems and application architecture Information needs; information architectures Business and organisational directions and strategy
Copyright 2003 Monash University 31 When to plan?: IS Planning theory Stages of growth; technological innovation; organisational maturity; technological maturity; planning maturity CSFs; management control and decision- making; management information needs IT for competitive advantage: role of ISIT in organisational competitiveness; using IS to achieve competitive advantage BPR: Importance of radical business process change; revolution vs evolution Alignment approaches: identifying the elements of planning success; fitting the planning approach to the organisation
Copyright 2003 Monash University 32 How to plan?: Planning philosophy Comprehensive Rational Deterministic Directed Formal Utopian Unified Democratic Partial/incremental Political Contingent Emergent Ad hoc Pragmatic Pluralist Dictatorial
Copyright 2003 Monash University 33 How to plan?: IS Theory Technological infrastructure and management Systems and applications development and management Organisational functions; systems and application architecture Information needs; information architectures Business and organisational directions and strategy
Copyright 2003 Monash University 34 How to plan?: IS Planning theory Stages of growth; technological innovation; organisational maturity; technological maturity; planning maturity CSFs; management control and decision- making; management information needs IT for competitive advantage: role of ISIT in organisational competitiveness; using IS to achieve competitive advantage BPR: Importance of radical business process change; revolution vs evolution Alignment approaches: identifying the elements of planning success; fitting the planning approach to the organisation
Copyright 2003 Monash University The Exam Structure Philosophy The questions The answers
Copyright 2003 Monash University 36 Exam Structure 3 hour exam (plus 10 minutes reading time) 5 questions Each question of equal value 180 minutes/5 questions = 36 mins per question
Copyright 2003 Monash University 37 Exam Philosophy Not a memory test; no questions on specific matters of fine detail Students should be able to demonstrate understanding of: Big picture issues - overall context; how things inter-relate; what are the main overall issues Detail - show you know more than just the headlines Ability to see multiple perspectives Ability to analyse, criticise, compare and evaluate is more important than ability to do straight description Opinions, NOT assertions; ie supported by argument “Conclusions” are not essential
Copyright 2003 Monash University 38 Exam Questions Broad Try to see what knowledge and understanding I am looking for Several parts - make sure you address each part Each question relates to the same basic issues
Copyright 2003 Monash University 39 Exam Answers Not a test of English; spelling, grammar and structure are Point form is fine Try to structure your answer: helps examiner; helps you structure your thinking; helps you make sure you cover all parts of the question Don’t spend too long on any one question (check the time per question) Don’t worry if you can’t say everything in the time available (do worry if you can?!)