Strategic Is/It Planning (Datamation Professional Series)

Rating:
Summary: An exremely useful, step by step process
Review: I found this book particularly useful for keeping me on track while analyzing IT architecture and processes. It is a practical guide that is written clearly and is applicable to the real world. I recommend it as a "must" if doing IT consulting, especially for those just starting out in the field.

Rating:
Summary: Extraordinary book/Extraordinary Approach
Review: One of the great mysteries of the universe is the fact that this book is now out of print. Out of the pile of IS/IT strategic planning books that I've bought and read this one stands out as simply the best the best ever written in my opinion. It would take a book to describe why I feel this way, so I'll just hit the high points.

First, the author's approach is not only exhaustively complete, but is based on proven methodologies. The genesis of Mr. Tozer's methodology appears to be based in the U.K.'s CCTA guidelines for strategic planning, with a heavy emphasis on SSADM (Structured Systems Analysis and Design Method) and PRINCE (PRojects IN a Controlled Environment), which is the U.K. national standard for project management.

Highlights: (1) Not once in this 549 page book was a product or technology mentioned, making the book as applicable today as when it was first written in 1996. Contrast this with methods that purport to address strategic planning, but are thinly disguised rationales for a particular technology or product. (2)The author focuses on business requirements, dedicating a good portion of the book to discovering and prioritizing business imperatives that will drive how IS/IT evolves to support those imperatives. (3) The approach is realistic, which is evidenced by one of many interesting techniques the author provides: P.E.S.T.. This is a modified Strengths/Weaknesses/Opportunities/Threats (SWOT)analysis that examines Political, Economic, Social and Technical dimensions of the enterprise. (4) The book is structured in such a way that it follows project phases and stages.

I like the way the author uses quantitative methods for project estimating and cost forecasting, and the numerous questionnaires and checklists provided throughout the book. I also like the excellent illustrations that depicted process flows, matrices, quantified data and comparisons - these added to the information that was provided in the body of the book. Also valuable is the nearly 100 pages of appendices, which include sample work plans, checklists and sample deliverables.

It you want to adopt an IS/IT strategic planning methodology or a framework based on a business-focused approach this is the book to get. Even the most experienced consultant will learn a few new techniques, and those who are new to IS/IT strategic planning will learn how to do it the right way. Five stars and my fervent hope that this outstanding book will be resurrected with a reprinting. Until then it will be worth the time and effort it takes to track down a used copy.

Rating:
Summary: A must have (and read) to every IT consultant
Review: This book covers every aspect of the "art" of strategic IT planning thoroughly. The checklists presented in the book are invaluable to every practitioner (there are, also, MS Word and MS Excel templates available, by request, directly from the author). The methodology covered in the book, SP4IS, albeit not being commonly used, is well structured and complete, and its features and procedures are similar to most of this type of methodologies, making it adequate to every audience. Thus, if you're looking for an hands-on book on Strategic IT Planning, this is THE book for you.

Rating:
Summary: An exremely useful, step by step process
Review: This book covers every aspect of the "art" of strategic IT planning thoroughly. The checklists presented in the book are invaluable to every practitioner (there are, also, MS Word and MS Excel templates available, by request, directly from the author). The methodology covered in the book, SP4IS, albeit not being commonly used, is well structured and complete, and its features and procedures are similar to most of this type of methodologies, making it adequate to every audience. Thus, if you're looking for an hands-on book on Strategic IT Planning, this is THE book for you.