An effective IT strategy considers the changes an enterprise is facing, both internally and externally and the potential opportunities to provide technology solutions. The opportunities might include ways to use Internet technology to gain a competitive advantage, to reduce cost, increase revenue, improve the efficiency of the value chain, etc.

The pressures of global competition and the rapidly evolving nature of Internet demands that strategy be an on-going process. Strategy is not a document, but a process. Strategy formation is the responsibility of the business and the IT organization.

At Akuwa, our approach establishes strategy as an on-going process including establishing organizational roles, responsibilities, processes and procedures. We use a proven method for developing digital strategies based on well-founded best-in-class strategic planning principles.

Phase I. Where are we today?

• How well do our current IT capabilities meet the needs of the organization?

• How do we compare to our competitors?

• What are the industry and technology trends and which should we follow?

Phase II. Where do we want to go?

• What is our business direction?

• What are our IT opportunities enabled by the Internet?

• What IT architectures are required?

• What vehicle will bridge between IT and the business?

• What can we change in systems, processes and people to achieve the strategy?

Phase III. How do we get there?

• What is the gap between where we are and where we want to go?

• What are the initiatives and projects that are required to close the gap?

• What changes need to be made to our capabilities and organization to close the gap?

• What is our plan to achieve success?

• Who will be the key players in our quest?