Reviewing The Adventures of an IT Leader
In scanning and analyzing the emerging technologies, the IT departments need a technology plan which comprises both objectives and strategies. The aim of the technology plan is to analyze the technology in terms of the existing technology and new technology that will aid in day-to-day operations. An important point is that the technology plan requires effort and timely execution in order to effectively plan how goals and objectives will be achieved. Effort and time for operation plan will play role in taking action plan, creating proprieties, identifying resources and accountabilities (Austin, Nolan & O'Donnell, 2009). In the case of IVK, the IT department did not include a project plan for software development and as a result, the company incurred cost associated with ever-increasing technology complexity. The company experienced unanticipated interaction which led to system accidents and it was difficult to deal with the complexity. To avoid these complexities, the IT department should set a strategic technology plan which is the process of setting goals, creating the desired outcomes, setting project schedule, requirement and planning. Note that strategies and plans will play role not only in integrating the technology but also in identifying threats and opportunities associated with the technology (Austin, Nolan & O'Donnell, 2009). Strategies and plans are vital in technology management and in this case, the IT department will understand the uncertainty and manage problems. Generally, the IT department need to set enough time and effort to evaluate the environment and technology roadmaps, the desired results, core technologies that align with goals and mission, assign the organization state and assess the life-cycle costs (Austin, Nolan & O'Donnell, 2009).
The IT department should also know more on Machine Learning. This means that apart from relying on Artificial Intelligence- ensuring machines carry out task effectively, IT department should use the neural network and allow the machines think and understand the world (Yeomans, 2015). Neural networks allow machines to carry out task like human beings such as making decision, modifying approaches, recognizing data and images and accessing all the information. In implementing software and hardware, machine learning will allow customer access high-quality content, the IT department will understand the customer behavior and will offer a personalized experience thereby allow the company understand the need of customers (Yeomans, 2015). In other words, machine learning offers ‘Smart Content’ where customers will get a superior experience.
The response to the Bernie Ruben’s first question is that on blog entry, they should maintain confidence to ensure that Carl Williams does not know anything based on the blog entry to avoid conflict and disharmony. Note that William is not interested with IT meetings and does not trust the leadership team especially Barton. They should hold private meeting with managers and IT staff and discuss the issue on blogs. This statement helps answer the second question that there should be a general policy on blogging and the policy should be that Barton and employees should keep company’s propriety information confidential or rather Barton should be in the front line to restore confidence which all employees will agree with (Austin, Nolan & O'Donnell, 2009). The second policy is that since some factors may compel the team to disclose the information, and then there should be scenarios for information disclosure. Failure to adhere to the rules, there should be a policy that describes the measures and punishments upon the person who violates the confidential policy. Last, there should be a process for scanning and analyzing emerging technologies and in this case, the company should consider creating a special group that will play this particular role (Austin, Nolan & O'Donnell, 2009). The role of this group will not only be to explore the emerging technology but should also go beyond to investigate from research findings and conduct research in other companies that used that particular technology. This method will offer knowledge on the technology, its benefits and risks. In addition, the selected special group should consider creating a technology forum within the company and this will allow the employees to offer different opinions on the emerging technologies (Austin, Nolan & O'Donnell, 2009).
Of the three proposed processes, the best process that IVK should pursue is the third proposal which is based on ‘gradual migration’. This means that there should be three technology platforms. The first platform; emerging technology-IT staff should allow the company focus on scanning and analyzing new technology, declining technology- IT staff should consider ignoring technology that do not fit within the organization and if the IT staff decides to purchase such technology, then CEO should approve and standard; which means IT staff should allow the organization implement the best technology. This process is important in that it will eliminate the nonstandard system and allow the organization to implement standard infrastructure and maximize flexibility (Austin, Nolan & O'Donnell, 2009).
IT standardization and innovation is in conflict in IVK organization. This is because; there was a conflict in between the company’s infrastructure and the IT department. The conflict is rooted from the idea that the infrastructure standards could not align with the decision made by business managers. In other words, the business managers focused on nonstandard applications but the company could not make changes or fulfill the desires of the business managers simply due to lack of standardization (Austin, Nolan & O'Donnell, 2009). The complexity allowed the organization to continue with operation successfully but a big problem was lack of innovation. This means that the organization could not find a competitive position due failure of investing in technology and innovation.
About the kid’s toolkit approach to management, I think that as a director of the New Application Development Systems, Barton should try things before implementing. In other words, he should understand the technology before implementing it in the organization. When problems arise, the manager should not only fix the problem but should also find the root cause. Managers tend to belief that problem will go away but at the end it results to negative consequences. Thus, managers should make effective decisions on IT managemngt and should not only focus on day-to-day challenges but should also find the root cause of the problems and offer solution (Austin, Nolan & O'Donnell, 2009). More important, he should encourage employees pursue the best actions and behaviors and in case of business or culture change, the actions and behaviors should also align with the new environment. In other words, management should analyze the organization needs in order to set strategies and identify the technology that will fit the changing market.
Reference
Austin, R. D., Nolan, R. L., & O'Donnell, S. (2009). The adventures of an IT leader. Harvard Business Press
Yeomans, M. (2015, July 7). What every manager should know about machine learning. Harvard
Business Review.
