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Technology Leadership

Strategic Thinking

Definition of Strategic Thinking

Strategic thinking is the intentional process that defines the way people view, assess, and then create the future for themselves and others. For IT leaders, strategic thinking guides how technology supports the business strategy and organizational goals. Effective technology leaders develop, articulate, and implement plans while also gaining the perspective of others on critical and complex issues. Effective leaders encourage and enable others to become more strategic thinkers.

Professional : Internalizes mission, vision, values, and strategy and takes accountability for results. Develops strategy at the team level and ensures it aligns with the overall visions and strategies of the organization and the university. Accountable for defining and executing projects that will achieve defined outcomes. Responsible for aligning tactical decisions with strategic goals.

Senior Professional: Models mission, vision, values, and strategy for the organization. Develops strategy at the department or product level and ensures it aligns with the overall visions and strategies of the organization and the university. Accountable for defining and executing outcomes that will achieve strategic objectives. Understands the overall IT landscape, the connection between their role and the functioning of those systems, and the interdependence between the various roles that comprise those systems.

Principal: Defines mission, vision, values, and strategy for the organization. Develops strategy at the organizational level and ensures it aligns with the overall vision and strategy of the university. Looks forward to the changing technology landscape and guides the organization toward strategic technological objectives. Accountable for defining strategic objectives that meet the needs of organization. Influences the overall IT landscape and enhances the connection between their role and the functioning of those systems.

How to Develop Strategic Thinking

University Courses:

· Minor: Business Management - Strategy
· Bachelor’s degree in Business, Information Systems, or related field
· Advanced degree such as MBA or master’s in related field
· STRAT 391 - Strategy and Organization
· STRAT 401 - Strategy 1
· STRAT 411 - Strategy 2
· STRAT 421 - Strategy Implementation
· STRAT 402 - Strategy Analytics
· STRAT 421 - Strategy Implementation

Training/Other Courses:

· Developing Strategic Vision - University of Utah David Eccles School of Business

· IT Strategy Training - CioIndex: https://cioindex.com/products/category/cio-training/it-strategy/

· Business Strategy Programs - Harvard: https://www.extension.harvard.edu/professional-development/business-strategy-programs

Professional Associations/Certifications:

· Association for Strategic Planning

· Certificate in Business-Aligned IT Strategy - https://www.informa-mea.com/training/information-technology/certificate-in-business-aligned-it-strategy

Books/Publications:

· Implementing World Class IT Strategy - Peter A. High

· Managing and Using Information Systems - Keri E. Pearlson

· IT Strategy: Issues and Practices - Heather Smith and James D. McKeen

· Technology Strategy Patterns - Eben Hewitt

· Evolving Digital Leadership - James Brett

· Digital Transformation: Build Your Organization’s Future for the Innovation Age - Lindsay Herbert

· The Plugged-In Manager: Get in Tune with your People, Technology, and Organization to Thrive - Terri Griffith

· Agile IT Organization Design: For Digital Transformation and Continuous Delivery - Sriram Narayan

Experiences:

· Obtain a copy of the IT Strategy for your organization if available. Once you have a clear understanding, compare it with BYU’s mission and vision statements and review how they align.

· Inquire about temporary assignments that would allow you to work on a project, so you have a better understanding of our clients’ or department’s IT needs.

· Initiate a meeting or lunch with an experienced IT leader from another group. Ask this person to share their[AC2] thoughts on IT at BYU, or the department’s IT strengths and weaknesses. Ask about the key success factors for the department or college. Ask in-depth questions to help you understand what has happened and why.

How to Demonstrate Strategic Thinking

DO: Describe what you did in completing/achieving your development plan

· Give specifics about the books you read, the courses you took, and the concepts you actively sought to learn and improve. Why did you choose these resources?

· Attend conferences/workshops with courses/tracks related to IT strategy and understanding industry trends. Evaluate what you have studied and identify potential use cases where technology could be leveraged to solve business problems you are aware of in your department.

ASSESS: Share, if applicable, any assessments that were taken/provided related to your activities

· Share and discuss with the CDC or your supervisor the results of the assessments you took as part of formal training courses, suggested experiences, or books read, focusing on improvements in specific areas.

· Share and discuss with the CDC or your supervisor any of the projects you have been involved with where technology was leveraged to solve a business problem. What solution was implemented and what problem was trying to be solved? How well do you feel the solution aligned with your department’s IT strategy?

LEARN: Explain what you felt that you were able to learn during your journey/experiences

· Examine the department IT strategy, if available, and identify how it aligns with the department’s goals and objectives.

· Study the department mission statement and identify how your job fits within it. Identify how technology is being leveraged to achieve this mission.

· Examine the mission of the university and identify how your department’s mission supports overall activities of the university.

APPLY: Give specific examples where you have made/plan to make direct application to your work

· Identify what you and your team are doing specifically and how it aligns to the IT strategy of your department.

· Describe how your efforts studying IT strategy have made you a more effective leader.

REFLECT: Review/consider things you would have done differently if you had this experience earlier

· After putting into practice these new skills, what other skills do you think would help you improve even further?

· How can the things you have learned and put into practice be shared with those you are leading/mentoring? What is the best/most effective way to do this?