Discussion Question 1. Acquisition strategy statements are important documents for gaining and maintaining executive support for programs and projects. What in your view are the one or two biggest challenges in developing an acquisition strategy? Give your reasons and any suggestions you have for addressing the challenge(s).

Discussion Question 2. How should an organization decide on how "cutting edge" it should be in its IT acquisition strategy? Acquiring cutting edge IT might give it a competitive advantage, but at greater risk because the IT is cutting edge.

On the other hand, the use of well-tested, mature IT that is also being used by many others reduces the risk, but it also may eliminate competitive advantage possibilities. How can the organization decide where along the continuum of very mature to cutting edge technology it belongs in its IT acquisition strategy?

Discussion Question 3. Market Research is one part of the Basic Acquisition Approach section of the Acquisition Strategy Statement. One objective of market research is to enable the buyer organization to know how external organizations solved a comparable problem and the performance levels they achieved.

Another objective of market research is to determine the extent to which there are IT services contractors qualified to perform the services that the buyer organization requires for its IT acquisition project.

Market research can become a costly and time-consuming, so sometimes this important activity gets insufficient attention in a project. Are there efficient ways of obtaining market research information so it is not viewed as too costly or too time consuming? Describe any that you are familiar with.