Critical Thinking Assignment
Module 12: IT Strategy, Sourcing, and Strategic Technology Trends
Question Requirements:
Aligning IT Strategies to Business Strategies Delta Corporation has been very impressed with the progress it has made with its new product line and the new marketing approach that you recommended and instigated. As a result, it is now considering expanding this approach for its other product lines, providing them with the ability to market and sell all of its products online. However, it has not considered the implications for its IT department in developing this type of plan. As the Social Media Marketing Consultant, you are familiar with integrating business and IT strategic planning. They have called upon you to provide advice.
You need to:
Explain what the company needs to consider if it is going to move to a more on-line approach for its sales and marketing activities. In particular, describe the consequences for its IT department and why they need to be involved in the planning phase.
Given the likely increase in costs associated with this move, you need to outline the potential benefits and possible pitfalls of outsourcing the IT maintenance and development.
Outline some strategic technology trends that the company may wish to monitor and consider for the future.
Finally, research a company in Saudi Arabia and discuss whether they were able to align their overall strategy and their IT strategy. If they were successful discuss how they managed this alignment and what benefits they gained from doing so. If they were not so successful, explain how and why you felt that occurred.
Directions:
Write an essay that includes an introduction paragraph, the essay’s body, and a conclusion paragraph to address the assignment’s guide questions. Do not address the questions using a question-and-answer format. Your well-written paper should meet the following requirements:
Be 5 pages in length, which does not include the title and reference pages, which are never a part of the content minimum requirements. Use Saudi Electronic University academic writing standards and APA style guidelines.
Support your submission with course material concepts, principles, and theories from the textbook and at least two current, scholarly, peer-reviewed journal articles. Current articles are those published in the last five years.
It is important to consider text citations in the essay
Ensure zero plagiarism. (very, very important)
In advance of submission, review the grading rubric to see how you will be graded for this assignment.
Learning Outcomes
Examine the ways in which IT strategic planning impacts competitive advantage.
Articulate the importance of aligning IT strategy with business strategy.
Recommend IT sourcing strategies given a specific business scenario.
Identify reasons for investing in strategic technology trends.
Readings
Required:
Chapter 12 in Information Technology for Management: On-Demand Strategies for Performance, Growth, and Sustainability
Marr, B. (2022, August 2). Why Every Business Must Embrace Integrated Collaboration And Co-opetition. Bernard Marr. https://bernardmarr.com/why-every-business-must-embrace-integrated-collaboration-and-co-opetition/
View the following videos:
Chapter 12 Whiteboard Animation Videos, part 1
Chapter 12 Whiteboard Animation Videos, part 2
Recommended: Chapter 12 PowerPoint Presentation
Gungor, A. (2023, April 13). Embracing the Future: Trends Shaping Performance Measurement. Bernard Marr. https://bernardmarr.com/embracing-the-future-trends-shaping-performance-measurement/