Synthesis

Abstract

In the previous chapter we examine the strategy-making process in great detail but say little of how that strategy might be implemented. In this chapter we discuss some of the challenges of implementing strategy, with a particular focus on IS/IT strategy. We investigate the importance of the requirements-gathering process and examine some of the methodologies used to bring additional rigour to this process. We also consider the significance of change management and the role users play in actively promoting or resisting the implementation of a new system. In this chapter we consider some of the main reasons for project failure and what lessons can be learned from earlier project failures . We discuss why effective project management is imperative if the system roll-out is to be a success and what the terms ‘success’ and ‘failure’ mean in the context of information systems. For many executives success may be defined as built to specification and delivered on time and on budget. However, the measurement of system benefits is often an after-thought. We close the chapter with a discussion of benefits realisation and the impact of big data and the cloud on the concept of success.