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Rusty Rims IT Strategic Plan, Part 1
Before you begin this assignment, be sure you have read the “Rusty Rims Case Study” and the following chapters in the textbook: Chapters 8, 9, 12 and 14 (as assigned in class).
Purpose of this Assignment
This assignment gives you the opportunity to apply the course concepts to begin development of an Information Technology Strategic Plan (ITSP) to support the strategic direction of Rusty Rims Distribution Company (RR). This assignment specifically addresses the following course outcomes to enable you to:
 identify, define, and explain the concepts of information technology governance and management
IT Strategic Plan for Rusty Rims Distribution Company
Carol, the new CIO at RR, has asked you to write an IT Strategic Plan that she can use to guide the direction for her organization. The ITSP will be developed in two parts. This assignment covers Part 1; Part 2 will be covered in the next class assignment. Together, they will form an ITSP that has been tailored to the course material covered in this class. You may work for an organization that has an ITSP, and it would be a good idea for you to take a look at it, but it will likely be structured a little differently from this one. Each organization develops an ITSP that will work for them.
Assignment
You will develop Part 1 of the ITSP for Rusty Rims, using the outline below. Each of the topics to be included in your outline is covered in the textbook readings assigned thus far; use the Index to locate specific relevant portions of the text, and to locate additional ideas that may be included in chapters not yet assigned. In addition to the course materials, at least one external resource (resource other than those provided in the class) must be used. Two or more cited references will earn top credit. Use a separate References page to list just the references you have cited. Remember to use the APA formatting rules and correctly cite and reference your sources with APA format. Use the Grading Rubric to be sure you have covered everything. Submit your paper as a Microsoft Word document, or a document that can be read using Word, with your last name included in the filename.
Please use this outline to build your IT Strategic Plan. Use the numbering and headings shown below.
Part One
1. Business Statement – Summarize in one paragraph the business of RR. Refer to Case Study.
2. Business Strategic Objectives – From the information in the Case Study, list the three strategic objectives. Next add a new strategic objective of your own – one that you consider important to the current and future health of RR’s business. It should be a statement of how the management team would improve the business of RR.
3. IT Vision and Mission Statement – Write one paragraph with a vision and mission statement for the Information Technology Department at RR. Use what you learn from the case study to create your own idea for the vision statement; and use the case study situation at RR to write the mission statement for the IT department. Refer to Chapter 9, Step 2 “Define Your Future Vision.” If you need help on a mission statement, do a little research on the web; you will find many examples of IT mission statements.
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4. Governance – Using the textbook and the case study, describe in two or three paragraphs how the IT governance process should work for RR. Carol wants to engage the other senior leaders, so include: who the participants are, what their roles are (why they are members of the governance body), what governance methodology should be established, what responsibilities the governance body would have, and how they would prioritize IT projects. Refer to the Table of Contents for the textbook, and look in the Index under G – Governance for multiple resources in the textbook.
5. Inventory of Current IT Projects – Using the information in the Case Study, you will use the table provided to describe the current systems in use and the IT resources allocated to their support. Copy and complete the table below, creating additional rows as needed to cover all current systems at RR, then write a brief introductory paragraph to the table. The paragraph should come first in your ITSP, to explain what the table is providing. Refer to the Index of the textbook, I – IT Portfolio Management/Inventory of Projects.
Current System
Function/
Description
Strategic Goal aligned to
Business unit/
department
Business Benefits
IT Resources (people, equipment)
The “right” and “wrong” answers have to do with whether or not you correctly incorporated the course concepts from the textbook and addressed all parts of the assignment. You need to do some external research on at least one aspect of the assignment – your choice – and incorporate it and cite/reference it in APA format in your response. The content of the mission and vision statements you create is not as important as that it makes sense in light of the course content and the Case Study. Use the Rubric below to be sure you have covered all aspects of the assignment.
GRADING RUBRIC: Criterion 90-100% Far Above Standards 80-89% Above Standards 70-79% Meets Standards 60-69% Below Standards < 60% Well Below Standards Possible Points
Business Statement
5 Points
The summary description of the business in the Case Study is complete, clear and concise and sets the stage for the remainder of the ITSP; demonstrates understanding of course concepts, analysis and critical thinking.
4 Points
The summary description of the business in the Case Study is clear and concise and sets the stage for the remainder of the ITSP.
3.5 Points
A summary description of the business in the Case Study is provided.
3 Points
The summary description of the business in the Case Study is unclear, not concise, and/or does not set the stage for the remainder of the ITSP.
0-2 Points
Little or no summary description of the business in the Case Study is included.
5
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Criterion 90-100% Far Above Standards 80-89% Above Standards 70-79% Meets Standards 60-69% Below Standards < 60% Well Below Standards Possible Points
Business Strategic Objectives
9-10 Points
Three business strategic objectives are listed and fully stated. One new objective, highly relevant to the Case Study, is listed, also fully stated, and clearly relates to how the management team will improve the business; work demonstrates understanding of course concepts, analysis and critical thinking.
8 Points
Three business strategic objectives are listed and are fully stated. One new objective, relevant to the Case Study, is listed; it clearly relates to how the management team will improve the business.
7 Points
Three business strategic objectives from the Case Study are listed. One new objective, relevant to the Case Study, is listed; it relates to how the management team will improve the business.
6 Points
Fewer than 3 business strategic objectives are listed or they are not drawn from the Case Study; the new strategic objective is not relevant to the Case Study; and/or new strategic objective does not relate to how the management team will improve the business.
0-5 Points
Few or no business strategic objectives are listed; a new objective is not added; and/or objectives are not related to the Case Study.
10
IT Vision and Mission Statement
18-20 Points
IT Vision and Mission Statements are clearly written and highly relevant to the Case Study; and demonstrate strong understanding of course concepts, analysis and critical thinking.
16-17 Points
IT Vision and Mission Statements are clearly written and relevant to the Case Study; demonstrate understanding of course concepts, analysis and critical thinking.
14-15 Points
IT Vision and Mission Statements are both included and are relevant to the Case Study.
12-13 Points
IT Vision and Mission Statement do not cover both vision and mission, are not relevant to the Case Study, or are lacking in demonstration of understanding of course concepts, analysis and/or critical thinking.
0-11 Points
One or both of the IT Vision and Mission Statements are not included, and/or do not relate to the Case Study; and/or are poorly written and do not convey the information.
20
Governance
23-25 Points
The Governance Section presents a well–supported and convincing
20-22 Points
The Governance Section presents a good
18-19 Points
The Governance Section addresses how the CIO will engage the
15-17 Points
Governance section does not include all required content (participants,
0-14 Points
Little or none of the required information is presented in the Governance
25
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Criterion 90-100% Far Above Standards 80-89% Above Standards 70-79% Meets Standards 60-69% Below Standards < 60% Well Below Standards Possible Points
explanation of a governance process for the business in the Case Study that engages other senior leaders in the organization. This section includes a thorough discussion of: participants, roles of participants, what governance methodology should be established, responsibilities of the governance body, and the prioritization process for IT projects; is highly applicable to and appropriate for the Case Study; and demonstrates understanding of course concepts, analysis and critical thinking.
explanation of a governance process for the business in the Case Study that engages other senior leaders in the organization. This section includes a clear discussion of: participants, roles of participants, what governance methodology should be established, responsibilities of the governance body, and the prioritization process for IT projects; and is clearly applicable to and appropriate for the Case Study.
other senior leaders, and includes: who the participants are, what their roles are (why they are members of the governance body), what governance methodology should be established, what responsibilities the governance body would have, and how they would prioritize IT projects.
roles, methodology, responsibilities, and prioritization process for IT projects); is not applicable to or appropriate for the Case Study.
section; and/or it is not relevant to the Case Study.
Inventory of Current IT Projects
18-20 Points
This section includes an effective and well-written introductory paragraph that
16-17 Points
This section includes an appropriate introductory paragraph that is
14-15 Points
This section includes an introductory paragraph that applies to the Case Study.
12-13 Points
This section is somewhat incomplete (lacking in introduction or required table,
0-11 Points
Little or no information is provided on the Inventory of Current IT Projects; table
20
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Criterion 90-100% Far Above Standards 80-89% Above Standards 70-79% Meets Standards 60-69% Below Standards < 60% Well Below Standards Possible Points
is applicable to the Case Study and the table that follows. The completed table contains all required information accurately extracted from the Case Study; demonstrates thorough understanding of course concepts, analysis and critical thinking.
applicable to the Case Study and the table that follows. The completed table contains all required information accurately extracted from the Case Study; demonstrates understanding of course concepts, analysis and critical thinking.
The completed table contains all required information extracted from the Case Study.
or table content is incomplete); is not applicable to the Case Study; or is lacking in demonstration of understanding of course concepts, analysis and/or critical thinking.
is missing; and/or information presented does not apply to the Case Study.
External Research
9-10 Points
Two or more sources other than the class materials are incorporated, are substantive and are used effectively. Sources used are relevant and timely, contribute to the analysis and support conclusions. References are appropriately incorporated and cited using APA style.
8 Points
At least one source other than the class materials is incorporated and used effectively. Source(s) are relevant and contribute to the analysis. References are appropriately incorporated and cited using APA style.
7 Points
At least one source other than the class materials is used and properly incorporated into the text. Reference is cited using APA style.
6 Points
A source other than the class materials may be used, but is not properly incorporated, and/or is not relevant or timely; and/or APA style for references and citations is not followed.
0-5 Points
No external research is incorporated or reference listed is not cited within text.
10
Report Format
9-10 Points
Report is very well organized and is easy to read. Very few or no errors in sentence
8 Points
Report reflects effective organization; has few errors in sentence structure,
7 Points
Report has some organization; may have some errors in sentence structure,
6 Points
Report is not well organized, and/or contains several grammar and/or spelling errors.
0-5 Points
Report is extremely poorly written, has many grammar and/or spelling
10
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Criterion 90-100% Far Above Standards 80-89% Above Standards 70-79% Meets Standards 60-69% Below Standards < 60% Well Below Standards Possible Points
structure, grammar, and spelling; presented in a professional format.
grammar, and spelling; presented in a professional format.
grammar and spelling.
errors, or does not convey the information.
TOTAL
Possible Points
100