Question: Strategic Plan Review

You are a member of the finance organization of a midsized manufacturer, with two years of experience with the firm. Your manager serves as a liaison between the finance group and the IS organization for budget review. The IS organization has just completed its annual strategic planning and budgeting process. Their plans, which include a $25 million budget (a 6 percent increase over last year), were forwarded to your manager for review. Your manager shared the IS strategic plan and budget with you a week ago and scheduled a meeting today to get your input and perspective.

Review Questions

1. What do you think are the hallmarks of a good strategic plan?

2. Would you expect to see more funds allocated to system development or to buying existing software and using software service providers? Why?

Critical Thinking Questions

1. Your manager shocks you when she announces that she has recommended you for promotion and that one of your new responsibilities would be to serve as the new finance liaison with the IS organization. She asks, "What do you feel needs to be done to help prepare you for this new responsibility?"

2. Finally, she asks, "What steps would you take and what resources would you use to review the current IS strategic plan and budget?"