Management Information System Assessment

    Thepaper should begin with a brief company overview

    and then discuss a problem or opportunity they face

    with respect to technology. Several alternatives should

    be considered and the majority of the paper should

    focus on the anticipated benefits as they pertain to

    strategic alignment and the achievement of competitive

    advantage.
    Begin with an executive summary, a high level overview

    of the issues discussed. This section should be no more

    than 150 words and should discusswhat is(are) the

    specific problem(s).
    Next, provide background on the history of the

    organization, type of business, products/services

    provided, management structure, financial status

    (including annual sales), strategic planning,

    organizationalculture, economic climate and any other

    information that you feel are necessary to provide the

    reader with a comprehensive understanding of the

    background of the company. It is strongly suggested

    that you provide as much financial and organizational

    data in the form of tables, figures, and/or graphs that

    would allow the reader an enhanced understanding of

    the organization discussed in the case. Additional

    financial and organizational data (e.g. material from

    Sidebar 1-3 on pp. 198-99) can be included in the

    Appendix at the end of the case.
    Next, set the stage by describing the technology

    utilization, advancements, management practices and

    philosophies, etc. of the organization prior to initiation

    of the IT project/experience described in the case as

    well as the players involved, their role and status within

    the company.
    Provide a detailed overview of the project/experience

    described in the case in terms of technology concerns,

    technology components, management, technology

    resources and constraints, and other organizational

    concerns, as well as any other information that would

    provide a comprehensive description of the IT

    project/experience to the reader. Furthermore,

    describe any related issues (e.g., cultural, philosophies,

    opinions, etc.) practiced within the organization that

    have impacted the IT project/experience planning,

    implementation and overall management.
    In detail, describe some of the challenges and problems

    that the organization is/was facing/faced at the

    start/completion of the IT project/experience.

    Furthermore, it would be helpful tothe reader if you

    describe the current (today’s) status of the

    aforementioned challenges and problems related to the

    IT project/experience.
    This section should be written in a way that readers

    could be engaged in discussion of the possible solutions

    for solving the problems facing the organization. Be

    sure to focus on the strategic use of technology within

    your organization. Focus on the strategic alignment

    model and assess how the company is currently using

    ITand what it should do with respect to use of IT to

    address the problems/challenges facing the company.

    Pay particular attention to the company’s current state

    of IT as well as their future or intended state(e.g. an “as

    is” and “to be” assessment) as youanalyze the firm’s

    strategic alignment perspectives
    . Explore the key stakeholders in the company. This

    can include employees, customers, competitors,

    management, etc. Focus on how IT affects each of

    these stakeholders and what their role is with respect to

    business and technology processes and infrastructure.
    Suggest some alternatives the company can pursue to

    solve the problems/challenges they are facing. Provide

    a justification (process improvement, cost saving, etc.)

    for each suggested alternative.
    Chooseand justifyof one the alternatives from above as

    your recommended solution.
    Finally, focus on the results and/or benefits that the

    company can expect to achieve when the IT is

    implemented. Referring to the firm’s strategic alignment

    perspective,focus on what the company should expect

    to gain from the use of IT and how it will affect them in

    the future (e.g. how will it provide them with a

    competitive advantage).

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