Back-End IT Strategic Planning: From Ranking Projects to the Ongoing Planning Process

by Kenneth Rau

Prioritizing candidate IT projects and initiatives is a key step in developing a successful IT strategic plan, yet few organizations have a consistent, structured, repeatable process to do so. In this Executive Report, I examine how to develop a comprehensive, flexible ranking process with multiple criteria for prioritizing IT initiatives that is understandable to both users and technicians and that is repeatable, consistent, and adaptable to shifting organizational requirements. I present techniques for using the ranking results to engineer a technologically practical IT plan. I also discuss techniques for introducing resource load balancing and risk mitigation considerations into the plan as well as for developing multiyear funding scenarios for senior management's consideration. Finally, I emphasize the importance of instituting an ongoing process to keep the plan current and viable as circumstances inevitably overtake and make obsolete the best-laid plans.