What is an IT Strategy?

IT strategies are an integral part of any company’s structure as they ensure that the services and systems remain secure, scalable, and operational. Without an IT strategy, a company could risk losing ground to their competitors.

An IT strategy is a long-term proposal defining how a company will use technology to accomplish its IT, software, hardware, or infrastructure goals. A successful IT strategy requires an in-depth understanding of the available technologies, risks involved in implementing these technologies and resources required to effectively deploy the technology. Properly executed IT strategies help establish security processes and procedures, outline collaboration requirements and increase overall productivity across a company.

Interested in learning more about IT security processes? Read our blog about 10 Cybersecurity Best Practices for Small Businesses

What are the benefits of a well-designed IT strategy?

A well-designed IT strategy is worth investing in because it provides guidance on how technology can be utilized. The following are additional benefits that can be noticed as a result of a well-designed IT strategy:

1. It can help companies deliver a cohesive approach to managing and disclosing information across the company which in turn helps to improve efficiency and collaboration while reducing duplicate tasks.
2. It can simplify how companies compile and improve their data in addition to managing their IT governance.
3. It enables companies to take an integrated approach to cybersecurity so they can help ensure the protection of client and employee data.
4. It can help companies enhance their IT resilience which will result in reducing the high costs associated with extended downtime and increase their return on investments (ROIs).
5. It will help improve the company’s communication between their IT department and the various department managers to help achieve improved executive alignment which results in a comprehensive and efficient business strategy.

How to create an effective IT Strategy for your company?

When a company has a business-forward focus with their IT strategy, they make sure that the strategy supports the company’s goals overall. Using these guidelines listed below, you can begin to create a more effective IT strategy for your company.

1. Review and outline your company’s goals while working with key stakeholders

An effective IT strategy should address the company’s long-term and short-term business goals and the current challenges in accomplishing these goals. This helps to ensure that IT investments focus on supporting the company’s overall goals. Strategic steps outlined in helping to align IT strategy with business strategy include identifying IT opportunities and prioritizing IT investments. It is essential to recognize the business goals of each department and the whole company to ensure that there is a comprehensive approach that will satisfy the needs of all departments. Additionally, Working closely with  key stakeholders will ensure a reliable smooth-running IT strategy from beginning to end.

2. Define IT requirements and evaluate existing IT infrastructure

Define the requirements and duration of the IT strategy and ensure it addresses the goals of each department and the entire company. When defining these requirements, all business data from every department should to be analyzed so companies can find the main challenges they are facing. Once the company has defined IT requirements and analyzed their data, they should assess their existing infrastructure. When addressing current infrastructure, it is important to consider how employees are using the current technology and how that technology integrates with the IT goal overall.

3. Incorporate KPIs

Measuring the success of your company is crucial to enhancing operations, and key performance indicators (KPIs) are the most effective way to achieve this. KPIs are specific metrics that measure how well your business meets its strategic goals and can include decreasing costs and delivery time, improving productivity, customer satisfaction ratings, and employee retention rates. With the right KPIs in place, it’s much easier for managers to identify best practices, address weaknesses and make improvements.

4. Identify the right resources

When a company is taking into consideration major IT projects, it can be difficult to strike a balance between resources and investments. Nevertheless, companies should acknowledge that their IT department is a valuable resource, and it is important to ensure the IT department has enough support and up-to-date training to help guide the long-term technology decisions. With knowledge of the company’s strategic objectives, mission, and vision, along with the IT departments technical expertise, they are able to guarantee successful planning and implementation of new initiatives.

5. Connect your IT strategy to business outcomes

Each area of your companies IT strategy should be connected to business outcomes. A comprehensive IT strategy that is successfully integrated with the business outcomes is key for companies of any size. When a company takes the time to create an IT strategy that includes business goals and results, it reveals their potential to drive transformation. Connecting each area of the IT strategy with tangible results not only lets the company understand what works and what doesn’t to optimize technology investments, but it also gives them the flexibility necessary to provide new services and initiatives in a more efficient manner.

IT Consulting Services at PSM Partners

PSM Partners is an IT consulting firm that provides IT management and strategy consulting for businesses and institutions in Chicago, IL.  Our professionals focus on your requirements, transparency, and agnostic solutions to strengthen your technologies and execute on your IT initiatives.  After a thoughtful assessment of your current IT system and your overall business goals, our experts at PSM work to add value where it is needed.

You can call PSM at (312) 940-7830 or submit a contact form to learn more about how we can help you with your IT strategy and technology consulting needs.