IT projects at MCDM
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August 5, 2017A Case for Marriage
August 5, 2017Introduction
It is evident from the case that MDCM faces significant constraints associated with organizational information flow, which implies that the integration of IT in its strategic goals is the most critical strategic objective for MDCM. Integration of IT in its strategic goals will help the firm to cut its operational costs and position the firm to exploit its pricing strategy for achieving competitive advantage. The recommendation for the IT projects in MDCM should aim at ensuring the company uses one global IT infrastructure characterized by standardization and consolidation of IT components. This is imperative in eliminating information lags within the form. This paper discusses the IT projects that would be appropriate for MDCM and provides a scorecard to evaluate each project and compare the projects using the Portfolio Application Model Matrix.
The IT Projects That Would Be Appropriate for MDCM
There are a myriad of IT projects that MDCM can implement in order to enhance information flow, reduce operational costs and achieve a standardized global IT infrastructure. The following is list discusses the potential IT projects appropriate for MDCM.
1. Implement Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP system)
ERP systems will be used in the integration of both external and internal management information within the MDCM including sales and service operations, customer relationship management, finance and accounting and manufacturing. ERP will be helpful in achieving the goal of facilitating information flow between the business divisions and facilitate communications with outside stakeholders.
2. Create a Company Intranet
A company intranet for MDCM will be helpful in achieving collaboration and facilitating internal communication. In addition, the intranet will be used to host cooperate data when integrated with modern legacy information systems. The benefits of creating an intranet for the case of MDCM include enhancing workforce productivity, facilitating communication, supporting business operations and management and enhancing collaboration.
3. Consolidate Data Centers and Networks
Consolidation of data centers and networks provide a significant opportunity for cutting costs through reducing the number of data centers in MDCM. The underlying framework is that the consolidation of data centers and networks helps in reducing costs and improving network performance. Potential strategies for consolidating data centers include the use virtualization and cloud computing, which eliminates the costs of hardware and software acquisition and maintenance, yet maintaining the performance capabilities of data centers.
4. Standardize Server Hardware, Database and Networking Capabilities
Standardization of server hardware will play a significant role in achieving the strategic objective of having a single global IT infrastructure. The potential benefits of server hardware standardization include technical familiarity, and easier upgrade and management of hardware. The primary focus of hardware standardization is to cut the operational costs of maintaining complex IT infrastructures because hardware standardization reduces management costs and prevents their aggravation.
5. Improve Group Support Systems and Decision Support Systems (GDSS)
Group Support Systems are implemented with the primary objective of facilitating electronic work interaction, which helps users to address complex problems and conflicts, effective analysis and prioritization of issues, and preparation of detailed proposals and plans. Overall, Group Support Systems are integral in achieving team building, effective planning, visioning and conflict resolution, which are central in improving employee productivity. GSS also facilitates greater information flow and participation because of group think.
6. Create Customer Self Service Portal
This project is crucial in achieving the strategic goal of customer satisfaction and enhancing information flow by ensuring that customers’ demands are addressed in a timely manner. This is a significant boost towards enhancing the efficiency of operations because of the elimination of physical contact by a company representative. In addition, improved customer satisfaction is in line with the strategic objective of achieving competitive advantage and improving profitability through enhancing operational efficiency and cost reduction. In addition, this will be helpful in the establishment of strong relationships with customers.
7. Implement New Supply Chain Management System
The implementation of new SCM system will deliver value to MDCM because the company significantly depends on smooth planning and execution of operations in order to attain long-term profitability and achieve sustainable competitive advantage. The potential benefits will include an improved supply chain network, elimination of delays, improved collaboration and reduction of costs.
8. Upgrade of Operating Systems for employee desktops and enterprise systems
Infrastructure upgrade is essential for the implementation of future projects. This implies that upgrading the operating systems provides platforms for the implementation of current and future reliable IT projects. Newer and compatible operating systems are essential for the implementation of new frameworks for information systems.
9. Standardization of E-mail infrastructure
The value proposition of standardized e-mail infrastructure is similar to the value proposition imposed by the standardization of the hardware. This will enhance communication and collaboration.
10. Implementation of knowledge management and information sharing systems
Knowledge management tools are essential tools for productivity in this information economy. KM tools and information sharing is central towards enhancing employee collaboration, and ultimately productivity. Other KM tools such sales automation will be a significant boost to operational efficiency and cost reduction.
Score Card to Evaluate Each Project
| Project | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| Criteria for likelihood of success | ||||||||||
| Technical standards | 8% | 10% | 9% | 7% | 10% | 9% | 8% | 11% | 9% | 10% |
| Skills, capability and training | 6% | 5% | 8% | 7% | 8% | 5% | 4% | 5% | 4% | 7% |
| Scope and complexity | 19% | 23% | 26% | 25% | 26% | 20% | 25% | 22% | 20% | 26% |
| Business alignment | 30% | 40% | 20% | 26% | 20% | 20% | 25% | 19% | 26% | 19% |
| Risk | 5% | 6% | 10% | 15% | 12% | 12% | 8% | 18% | 15% | 10% |
| Management capability | 10% | 5% | 2% | 4% | 1% | 10% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 3% |
| Total | 78% | 89% | 75% | 84% | 77% | 76% | 75% | 80% | 79% | 75% |
| Value to the business criteria: | ||||||||||
| Financial return | 30% | 15% | 15% | 10% | 5% | 28% | 25% | 15% | 5% | 10% |
| Customer and consumer focus | 20% | 10% | 10% | 12% | 5% | 28% | 20% | 5% | 15% | 15% |
| Supply chain business benefits | 15% | 10% | 9% | 10% | 5% | 15% | 35% | 5% | 5% | 6% |
| Technological efficiency | 9% | 15% | 20% | 15% | 20% | 10% | 10% | 30% | 20% | 23% |
| Knowledge advantage | 10% | 15% | 20% | 25% | 35% | 10% | 10% | 6% | 6% | 30% |
| Work/life balance | 0% | 5% | 3% | 2% | 5% | 2% | 0% | 0% | 2% | 5% |
| Total | 84% | 70% | 77% | 74% | 75% | 93% | 95% | 61% | 53% | 89% |
The above table is a summary of the score for each IT project. The following table is a portfolio application model matrix.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | |
| Likelihood of success criteria | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| Total | 78% | 89% | 75% | 84% | 77% | 76% | 75% | 80% | 79% | 75% |
