IT Needs Assessments and Strategic Planning & IT Master Plans
Information Technology (IT) Needs Assessments and Strategic Planning
Conducting an Information Technology (IT) Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan enables the organization to evaluate current IT infrastructure, systems and processes in order to develop a long term Road Map. The analysis consists of reviewing the current IT infrastructure including servers and workstations, audits, networks, and security, identifying gaps and providing recommendations and action steps for the organizational direction. RNR Consulting typically conducts the assessment in three phases:
- Phase I – Discovery (As-Is Scenario)
- Phase II – Critical Analyses
- Phase III – Recommendations and Action Steps
Our methodology for successful delivery of a comprehensive Information Technology Needs Assessment & Strategic Plan follows a People, Process, Technology (PPT) framework, which allows for a holistic view of organizational vision, current operations and IT infrastructure. Below, we have described some of the critical activities that we may conduct as part of the assessment.
Review of Information Technology Infrastructure:
Information Technology Infrastructure is a framework of best practices implemented to create a high quality Information Technology support for operations. RNR Consulting has conducted assessments of IT infrastructure which included activities such as application and network architectures, analysis of existing hardware and software, contingency planning, industry best practices, and recommendations of hardware and software solutions to meet the agency’s needs and strategic goals.
Conduct System Audit:
System Audits are conducted to improve the reliability, security, and efficiency of a particular system. In conducting a system audit, RNR Consulting analyzes the current functionalities of the system versus how the agency utilizes the system along with the integrity of the data within the system. We take it a step further by documenting current process flows and assessing the current skill level of users. After completing a comprehensive system audit, RNR Consulting recommends strategies and solutions for increasing the system’s return on investment for the organization.
Conduct Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Analysis:
An FTE analysis is conducted to understand the time allocated to different daily responsibilities of IT staff. This analysis allows us to make recommendations on IT staffing levels and structures. Information is gathered through surveys (discovery phase), interviews and shadowing staff. We can take this step further by comparing our findings with posted job descriptions and qualifications enabling us to redefine and reallocate duties and responsibilities in a more efficient manner.
Conduct SWOT Analysis:
RNR Consulting frequently utilizes Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT) analysis during its strategic planning initiatives. This activity has proven invaluable for identifying the strategic resources available to an organization and the constraints within which it has to operate. Based on activities conducted as part of the “Discovery” and “Critical Analyses” phases of the project, RNR Consulting will document strengths and weaknesses (internal environment, including IT infrastructure) and opportunities and threats (external environment).
Sample Case Studies:
City of Akron, Ohio - Information Technology Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan
Akron Digital Academy - Information Technology Needs Assessment and IT Strategic Plan
Montgomery County Government - Department of Health and Human Services IT Assessment Phase I and IT Assessment Phase II
San Antonio Housing Authority - IT Operational Review
IT Master Plans
IT Master Plans provide an in-depth analysis of current IT Architecture that results in the proper investment for future projects enterprise-wide. The outcome of the analysis is a blueprint for data applications and technology. As an organization grows in complexity, management makes greater demands on data, requiring timely access, readable formats, and consistent and accurate information. IT Master plans allow an organization to develop an Information Architecture based on data dependencies, which results in recommendations (quick hits, short, medium, and long-term) on IT projects in a cost-effective manner.
RNR Consulting utilizes the Zachman Framework as a best practice in developing IT Master Plans. The Zachman framework identifies six levels of architectures.
- Objectives / Scope –What is our core business? What are our core processes?
- Model of the Business – Entity Relationship Diagrams – What applications and supporting technology do we have in place today?
- Model of the Information System – Data Flow Diagrams
- Technology Model – System Architecture
- Detailed Representations – Network Architecture
- Functioning System – How do we plan to get there - Implementation plans
Sample Case Studies:
City of Cleveland, Division of Water - IT General Services- IT Master Plan