Development of a functional level IT strategy for the case company
Wright, Tiina (2018)
Wright, Tiina
Metropolia Ammattikorkeakoulu
2018
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2018061313733
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2018061313733
Tiivistelmä
The purpose of the Master´s thesis was to develop a functional level IT strategy for a Finnish startup company and propose an implementation plan and Key Performance Indicators to follow up the objectives of the strategy and unit performance. The case company operates in global environment marketing, selling and distributing branded mobile devices.
The research was conducted as a case study and due to the lack of existing functional IT strategy, only qualitative research methods were used. They consisted of gaining understanding of the current state of the company, the Corporate level strategy, and the objectives of the IT unit. This information set the base for the functional strategy development.
The Current State Analysis provided an understanding of the case company´s IT legacy, which changed the initial requirement of a pure start-up strategy development to a three-level functional IT strategy: short-term transformation strategy, mid-term strategy and long-term strategy. The business launch and growth targets were the foundation for the Corporate strategy, which in turn set the requirements for the functional level strategies, including IT. The researcher investigated strategy concepts, best practises and trends in the changing digital environment. As no standard IT strategy suitable for the case company was available, development of a custom made functional IT strategy was needed. Following the strategy creation, an implementation plan and Key Performance Indicators were also developed and proposed.
As a result, the author has created a strategy for the case company´s IT unit. The author has additionally produced an implementation plan and suitable Key Performance Indicators with which the performance of the IT unit can be measured and leveraged with the Corporate objectives. Going forward, the author recommends regular reviews of the functional strategy and establishing agile ways of operating to remain competitive and responsive to the changing business requirements.
The research was conducted as a case study and due to the lack of existing functional IT strategy, only qualitative research methods were used. They consisted of gaining understanding of the current state of the company, the Corporate level strategy, and the objectives of the IT unit. This information set the base for the functional strategy development.
The Current State Analysis provided an understanding of the case company´s IT legacy, which changed the initial requirement of a pure start-up strategy development to a three-level functional IT strategy: short-term transformation strategy, mid-term strategy and long-term strategy. The business launch and growth targets were the foundation for the Corporate strategy, which in turn set the requirements for the functional level strategies, including IT. The researcher investigated strategy concepts, best practises and trends in the changing digital environment. As no standard IT strategy suitable for the case company was available, development of a custom made functional IT strategy was needed. Following the strategy creation, an implementation plan and Key Performance Indicators were also developed and proposed.
As a result, the author has created a strategy for the case company´s IT unit. The author has additionally produced an implementation plan and suitable Key Performance Indicators with which the performance of the IT unit can be measured and leveraged with the Corporate objectives. Going forward, the author recommends regular reviews of the functional strategy and establishing agile ways of operating to remain competitive and responsive to the changing business requirements.