Methodology:InformationandSystemsPlanningOverviewTheoverallobjectivesofanISPprojectareto:-Developanunderstandingofaclient'sbusinessandidentifywaysinformationcanbeusedtoimprovetheclient'scompetitiveposition.-Identifyifspecificbusinessprocessesneedtobereengineeredpriorto,orinconjunctionwith,theimplementationofnewinformationsystems.-Identifyinformationtechnologiesthatarecriticaltosupporttheclient'sgoals.-Developaplanforimplementingnewinformationsystemsandidentifyassociatedcostsandbenefits.-Understandtheimpactchangescontemplatedbytheplanwillhaveontheorganizationandincorporateappropriatesuggestionsformitigatingandachievingthedesiredtransitiontonewinformationsystems.-Establisha"trustedbusinessandsystemsadvisor"relationshipwithseniorclientmanagement.InformationandSystemsPlanninghelpsourclientsuseinformationandtechnologytogainandmaintainacompetitiveedgeintheirmarkets;ithelpsclientorganizationsfulfilltheircorporatevisionandpurpose.Thisincludesmakinginformeddecisionstotakeadvantageofadvancesininformationtechnologyratherthanjustreactingtochange.Theplanningprocessfacilitatesthecreativestrategicthinkingofkeyexecutives,observationofthebusinessenvironment,reviewoftechnologywithinanindustrycontextandassessmentofopportunitiesforimprovement.Wealsohelptheclientunderstandthebenefits,investment,riskandresourcesrequiredtodevelopnewinformationsystems.TheproductofanISPprojectisashortandconcisereport,builtaroundexhibits,includingaprioritizedlistofprojects,whichpresentsaclearvisionofhowthecompanyshoulduseinformationtechnology.TheISPmethodology,orframework,canbeviewedintwoways.First,thesubstanceoftheISPcanbeviewedfromtheclient’sperspective.Second,asaconsultant,itcanbeviewedfromtheperspectiveoftheConsultingProcessFramework.Thefirstwheelisdesignedtoanswerthequestionwhyinformationandtechnologyisneededandwhatisneeded.Thesecondphase,or“wheel”,providesspecificsabouthowtechnologywilladdresstheissuesandvisionsofthebusiness.ItisimportantforFirmpersonneltoestablisha"trustedbusinessandsystemsadvisor"relationshipwithtopmanagementearlyinanInformationandSystemsPlanning(ISP)project.AnISPisdesignedtohelptheclient(CEO,CFO,CIO,orMethodology:InformationandSystemsPlanning1equivalent)understandinformationtechnology,howitimpactscurrentoperationsandtoknowwhyitwillbeimportanttothefutureoftheclient'sbusiness.TheISPprojectshouldideallybeperformedpriortoproceedingwithapackagesystemsselection,design,andimplementationoracustomsystemsdesignandimplementationproject.However,ISPscanbejustifiedatmanydifferentpointsintheorganizationallifecycle.BCpersonnelhavearesponsibilitytobealerttothesepossibilities.TheISPisanintegralandoftenearlypartofBC’sQualityAssuranceprocess.ItcanbeaneffectivescreeningtechniquetodetermineifandhowBCandtheclientshouldproceedwithaconsultingrelationshipordrop,deferorrefertheserviceopportunity.AnISPprojecttypicallyisanintroductoryengagementwithaclient.OnegoalofinitialclientexposureistodemonstratehowAAisdifferent:HighImpact,FastResponse,empathetic,trustworthy,andjustplaingood.ISPhelpsstrengthenanddeepentheFirm’srelationshipwithandunderstandingofclientstointurnhelpthemachievemajorimprovementsinthewaytheyuseinformation.Establishingatopmanagementrelationshipiscriticaltomanagingprojectexpectationsandrisks.ItalsoinvolvesAAinup-frontsystemplanningdecisionswhichinturnimprovethesuccessofprovidingsubsequentprofessio...
