Crisis and Opportunity: Beyond the ClichE
By Cuitláhuac Osorio and José Moreno
Planning, Strategy, and Information Technology are three critical elements for today’s organizations. By themselves, they are fundamental principles in the management of modern, competitive businesses, but applied together, in an orderly fashion, they create synergy that brings considerable value to the organizations.
A major challenge during times of crisis is to stay in the market, but there are broader possibilities than merely surviving. It is often said that crises breed opportunities, but very few organizations are really able to bring this assertion to life.
The challenge is to establish how, by planning, by using strategy and by applying Information and Communication Technology (ICT), we can set up projects that enable us to capitalize on opportunities that come about when times are difficult.
The first step is to undertake a strategic planning exercise to determine in which direction we want to steer the organization. In order to do that, the strategic objectives must be quantifiable. Only then will we be ready for the step two.
It is also critical to identify processes that add value, determine which ones contribute to achieve the goals set forth in the strategic plan and make the necessary changes so that these processes fulfill the expectations.
We are now ready to apply the ICT component. But first, let us look at what we have accomplished so far:
1. Through strategic planning, we have defined operationally quantifiable objectives.
2. We have reviewed the processes that generate value in the organization and identified those that are needed to achieve the objectives.
3. Processes that do not contribute to our objectives have been revised and adjusted to deliver as planned.
Then, in order to integrate all the processes that contribute to the attainment of the objectives, we will conduct an analysis to ascertain what kind of technology components can be incorporated (with the purpose of improving or optimizing them) so that they generate greater value for the organization.
As you can see, we have done nothing buy aligning the objectives of ICT with the strategic objectives of the business.
By investing rationally and aligning the business objectives with those of ICT, we can ensure that any investment made will result in benefits for the organization, and if the project has a sufficiently deep impact, it will certainly contribute to a competitive advantage which, in times of difficulty, will be much more valuable.
Imagine that your organization has perfectly defined, measurable objectives. Imagine also that all your ICT investments are working actively towards attaining those objectives and how this synergy of planning, strategy, and ICT is positioning your business competitively. Experience shows that the time, effort, and resources invested in these elements are highly beneficial for the organization. Don’t you think it is worth giving it a try?
If you have read this far, you will be able to say, like us, that times of crisis do, indeed, represent an opportunity. |
