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How can Cheryl Smith help managers at WestJet better understand the role of information technology in corporate strategy?
Cheryl Smith can have meeting and teach classes on the importance of information technology systems in a corporate strategy. She can also show managers how the market share went from 7% in 2000 to 38% in 2009. Showing that the company went up in market share from IT strategy and comparing to Air Canada that went down 22% in the same timeframe. Using benchmark and experts to do comparative study to see where WestJet's performance results are and where they need improved.
How might WestJet's experience influence the way your organization aligns its IT and business strategies?
Westiet's experience has shown me how to understand the importance of IT within a company and how it can help build your brand. I can use IT in my organization to help keep track of inventory and sales trends. This may help predict what the customer wants based on season or month data.
• Improve alignment of IT with
business needs to expand business agility by more quickly
responding to change with informed, measured decisions
• Protect brand and revenue by helping to assess the threats to the
IT infrastructure, their potential business impact or benefit and
an organization's risk tolerance to help plan a realistic
strategy
• Improve IT service levels to achieve strategic business
initiatives by helping to manage IT risk with more accurate and
appropriate information
• Reduce financial and reputational exposure by helping to protect
the business from negative disclosures, losses and fines or
penalties
• Increase their competitive advantage by helping them to make
calculated responses to risk that competitors may lack the insight
to make
Based on an Internet or Walden Library search, describe the best tools and techniques organizations can use to align IT strategy with business strategy. What alternatives do organizations have to ensure their IT and business strategies are in alignment?
They can gather data and information for bench marking. This would give them a comparison to gage where they are compared to companies in their field with similar interest.
What risks does the organization take if it does not invest in the resources necessary for maintaining alignment between IT and business strategy?
Managers can align their entire organization for systematic improvements and not be ready for the obstacles that may block success. You will need to look for alignment gaps. If these gaps are not found and filled they can bring alignment of IT and business strategy to a halt.
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For this Discussion, read the case study: "WestJet Airlines: Information Technology Governance and Corporate Strategy" by...