Section 1: Defining SISP
We should first define what is meant by ‘Strategic Information System Planning’ or SISP. The literature has some common patterns and definitions around SISP which Wilkin & Cerpa (2012) summarise as the following (emphasis is mine):
‘SISP involves “the identification of prioritised information systems that are efficient, effective, and/or strategic in nature, together with the necessary resources (human, technical, and financial), management of change considerations, control procedures and organisational structure needed to implement these” (Baker, 1995, p. 63). The context of SISP is, in terms of scope – organisational, in perspective – that of top management, the time-frame – long (e.g., 3 – 5 years), and the level of abstraction – conceptual (Segars et al., 1998).’ (Wilkin & Cerpa, 2012:2).
From the definition above, SISP is concerned with a longer-term horizon of integrating SISP with business strategy. This planning approach is strategic, conceptual, and involves the careful allocation of technical, financial, and management resources; along with proper controls and procedures (Lederer & Sethi 1996). This definition indicates that SISP must be on-going. Figure 1 summarises the iterative nature of SISP.
Figure 1: SISP process
(Figure is from https://quizlet.com/31056501/ch-6-strategic-information-systems-planning-flash-cards/)
Section 2: SISP Objectives
SISP objectives would be primarily to support the business strategy and its underlying processes, through the proper usage of technical architectures, systems and processes (Segars et al 1998). SISP should therefore involve the following:
1) the best strategic business/IT planning approaches for the organization in question;
2) a strategic plan for implementation for that organisation;
3) understanding how to champion the process within the organisation’s culture;
4) the size of commitment regarding people, financial and other resources; and
5) a process to review the utility of the IS systems (Bechor et a. 2010).
Given the above the SISP needs to be an on-going process, tightly integrated with the business strategy planning process; and especially embedding IS/IT into the planning process to force alignment and effective IS support of the business.
Section 3: Key Success Factors for SISP
The literature supports the assertions in Section 2 about SISP objectives and identifies the key variables which can impact an effective SISP. These variables and KSFs include the following 10 areas:
- Competent and committed management, both in IT and outside
- Clear business strategy which is understood
- End user involvement in mapping IS to the business
- Cultural openness across functions (and cultural barriers to change)
- IT reporting to the CEO not the CFO
- Planning regularity
- Planning effectiveness (methodology, relevancy)
- Technical resources, knowledge and skills
- Project Management skills
- Budget, Financial resources, Proper ROI management
(Brown, 2010; Wilkin & Cerpa, 2012).
These variables run across functions and departments and are complex to align and manage. As with any planning process, SISP will depend on the alignment of the firm’s functional organisation, culture and resources.
Section 4: SISP – internally or externally managed?
If we take the key variables in Section 3, they will inform our discussion about whether SISP should be internally or externally managed. The following table provides a summary of when or if, we should be managing a SISP internally or externally.
Table 1: SISP management
| KSF Variables | Internally
Present? |
If not – Externally outsource? |
| Competent management | If Yes makes internal SISP management easier | If not present it won’t matter what you do |
| Clear business strategy | If Yes makes internal SISP management easier | If not, can use an external partner to clarify |
| End user involvement | If Yes makes internal SISP management easier | External parties can be used to help align end users with planning |
| Cultural openness | If Yes makes internal SISP management easier | External parties can help reduce cross functional inefficiencies |
| IT reports to CEO | If Yes makes internal SISP management easier | If IT reports to the CFO then IT will be a cost centre not a strategic partner, so an external party will not be able to help |
| Planning regularity | If Yes makes internal SISP management easier | If irregular or poor, an external partner can help rebuild |
| Planning effectiveness | If Yes makes internal SISP management easier | If ineffective an external subject matter expert can help repair |
| Technical resources | If Yes makes internal SISP management easier | If not present, external IT resources can be used, but only in the context of a plan and purpose |
| PM skills | If Yes makes internal SISP management easier | If not present external partners can be used |
| Budget, Financial resources | If available and sufficient makes internal SISP management easier | If not present, it will impact what IS systems can be built and how they will support the business strategy |
(Lederer, A.L., Sethi, V. 1996; Wilkin, C. L. & Cerpa, N. 2012; Bechor et al 2010)
If we run through the key variables and dimensions impacting SISP some clarity emerges. If we have the 10 main variables operating efficiently in-house; than SISP should be internally managed. If we have none of these important variables inhouse we will be forced to use an external partner and outsource the SISP entirely. If however, like most firms, we have a mix of inhouse strengths and weaknesses, then we will probably use external partners to bolster and support our internal SISP in key areas where we are weak (Segars et al 1998).
Section 5: Conclusion managing SISP
Firms need to answer two very important questions:
- Should SISP planning be on-going or a one-time activity?
- Should SISP be internally managed or externally?
In my view, SISP planning is an on-going iterative process, embedded within the business strategy-planning process. Since IT is in my view, the core foundation of business processes, it is only logical that firms align IT with their business strategy. Given that every firm has yearly, if not quarterly or even monthly planning cycles; it stands to reason that SISP must likewise follow a similar planning path, and be on-going, never-ending and self-reflecting process.
On the question of how to manage SISP, this will depend entirely on the firm in question. If the key 10 variables are all present within a firm, and functioning well, then SISP in its entirety, should be internally managed. Even in this case, external parties should be used to verify and audit the SISP. If the firm has gaps or weaknesses in the 10 key variable areas; than part of the SISP at some level, may be externally managed for a period of time, in conjunction with the firm (including a Knowledge Transfer), until the firm acquires those skills and knowledge. At that point in time, the firm may decide to bring that part of the SISP process in-house.
For many firms therefore, you would likely see some key parts of SISP managed internally, and some aspects externally managed. My preference would be to bring most if not all of the SISP in-house, since I believe that IT alignment with the business is a pre-requisite for business success and this alignment has to be present in the firm.
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Bechor, T., S. Neumann, M. Zviran, & C. Glezer, (2010) ‘A Contingency Model for Estimating Success of Strategic Information Systems Planning’, Information & Management, 47 (1) pp.17-29
Brown, I., (2010) ‘Strategic Information Systems Planning: Comparing Espoused Beliefs with Practice’, ECIS 2010 Proceedings, Paper 140, Available at: http://aisel.aisnet.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1107&context=ecis2010, (accessed: 18/08/15)
Lederer, A.L., Sethi, V. (1996). Key prescriptions for strategic information systems planning. Journal of Management Information Systems, 13(1), 35-62.
Segars, A.H., Grover,V.,Teng, J.T.C. (1998). Strategic information systems planning: Planning system dimensions, internal coalignment, and implications for planning effectiveness. Decisions Sciences, 29(2), 303-345
Wilkin, C. L. & Cerpa, N. (2012). Strategic information systems planning: An empirical evaluation of its dimensions. Journal of Technology Management & Innovation 7(2), 52-61