How to Write an IT Strategic Plan

Technology has found its way into many facets of life. The corporate world is no exception. With a little bit of planning you can convert your IT department from a support unit to a driving force of innovation. A great place to start is defining your IT Strategy.

Steps

1
Outline your Corporate Strategy. Before you begin defining the strategy within the IT department, you must first fully understand the organizations business objectives. This will make sure that your departments strategy will reinforce, rather than combat the corporate strategy. Be sure to address the following areas:^{[1]XResearch source}
- Company History
- Company Description
- Company Vision
- Company Mission
- Core Values
- Company Goals
- Financial Outlook
- Strategic Business Objectives
2
Define Your IT Strategy. Once you have a better understanding of how the company identifies itself; where it is and where it would like to be, take a moment to determine how IT fits into this model. Determine the:^{[2]XResearch source}
- IT Vision
- IT Mission
- IT Strategic Objectives
- IT Core Values
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3
Assess Your Current IT Situation. It is now time to take a critical look at what you are currently doing within IT in order to best make plans for the future. Break down your IT department into the following three sections and perform an assessment on each:^{[3]XResearch source}
- Organizational Infrastructure
- Hardware and Software Infrastructure
- Current IT Projects
4
Propose Your Ideal IT Situation. If your current state of IT is not very flattering, where would you like to see the department in the future? It is now time to be forward-thinking and proactive by analyzing internal and external factors in hopes of leveraging strengths and opportunities while mitigating weaknesses and threats. Be sure to perform the following tasks:^{[4]XResearch source}
- Understand the IT Environment (SWOT and PEST analysis)
- Consider Emerging Technology Opportunities
- Map Your Future- Where will you be Tomorrow if you: Do Nothing, Do XYZ
- Document Your Ideal IT Situation
5
Analyze Any Gaps. Chances are your current and ideal IT situations will not completely align. Determine what requirements are needed on an operational level in order to transition from your current state of IT to your ideal. It may help to:
- Determine Future IT Requirements
- Identify and Summarize the Gaps
6
Develop an IT Strategy Roadmap. In order to keep your team on track and manage their progress in implementing the IT Strategic Plan create a roadmap, clearly outlining all tasks that must be performed on a detailed timeline. Be sure to record:^{[5]XResearch source}
- Employee Responsibilities
- Task Dependencies
- Start Dates
- Completion Dates
7
Communicate Your New IT Strategy. All of your hard work will be in vain if you do not take the time to communicate the IT Strategic Plan that you have just created. Take pride in your work and share the new plan throughout the organization. IT is imperative that you revisit your IT Strategic Plan quarterly at minimum and make adjustments where applicable. Include the following in all communication:
- Senior Management
- The IT Department
- Key Stakeholders in Other Departments
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Tips

Try to be concise: limiting the length of your plan to 15-20 pages is best.
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Include a glossary: keep in mind not all audiences are IT professionals.
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Use what you have: the corporate strategy should already be clearly outlined by your organization.
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