An IT strategy ensures your business success and technology goes hand in hand. It involves deciding on your end goals – things like improving efficiency, boosting security and enhancing customer experiences – and then lining them up with the technology needed to achieve them. This isn’t about splashing out on trendy gadgets (unless you need them!), but about making smart, informed choices about what technology you need to support your business goals.
Your IT strategy also considers things like budget, resources and timelines. Think of it as a road trip. You decide your destination, check the condition of the car, plan rest stops during the trip and budget for petrol needed. When you’re on the journey you may need to tweak your plans for roadworks and bad weather, but an IT strategy is just as flexible. It can adapt to changes in your business.
Why do companies need an IT strategy?
Businesses need an IT strategy for several reasons. It helps plan effective resource allocation, this means you’ll have a plan for how you are spending your money and time. Most importantly, it helps to prevent wasteful spending on unnecessary gadgets and software.
It also allows businesses to set goals, like increasing sales, improving customer service or expanding into new markets. An IT strategy aligns technology with these goals, making it easier to achieve them. For example, if you are aiming to offer better customer service, an IT strategy might include implementing a customer relationship management (CRM) system.
No matter the size of a business, there are always technology related risks, from data breaches to system failures. By preparing a thorough IT strategy, it will help protect against these risks, as well as detailing what to do if they should happen.
Main IT strategy components
In today’s digital age, having a solid IT strategy is essential for any business. But what goes into an IT strategy? Let’s break it down into its main components:
IT overview
The first step is to get the lay of the land. This is like taking a bird’s eye view of your entire IT setup. What systems and software do you have in place? What’s your current tech infrastructure like? This gives you a clear picture of where you stand and helps you understand what needs to change or improve.
Budgeting and forecast
Just like the rest of your business, your IT strategy needs a budget. This part is about deciding how much you are willing to invest in technology. By budgeting you can work out what is financially viable. For example, if you’re only able to invest £1,000, a massive infrastructure change may not be the right time for your business.
Breakdown of strengths and weaknesses
Every business has its strengths and weaknesses, and your IT strategy needs to take these into account. What is currently working well for you? What are you currently struggling with? Knowing this is like acknowledging your strong driving skills and identifying areas where you might need a little more practice.
Analysis of department capabilities
Your IT strategy should look at what your team can do. Who are your tech-savvy experts and where might there be skill gaps? By knowing this you can work out how much extra support you may or may not need. If you have an IT department already then you will need less assistance than a business that has no IT expertise.
Assess IT inventory
This is where you take stock of all your tech gadgets, software licences and equipment. You need to assess whether everything is in working order, if things need upgrades or replacements.
How Resolve can help businesses implement an IT strategy
At Resolve, we have a team of solutions consultants who will spend the time getting to know you and your business. They will assist in creating your IT strategy and meet up with you on a quarterly basis to check how things are going, as well as making adjustments for unexpected things that might divert the original plan. For more information, you can reach out to our solutions team here.
Conclusion
Overall, IT strategy is just as important as business strategy. A business will struggle to grow without the correct technology to support it, and IT has a central presence in most businesses even if you don’t realise it. For example, construction workers still require IT to manage accounts and communications. We’d highly recommend putting the time aside to assess how things are going to ensure your IT lives up to your business goals.
To find out more about how Resolve IT Strategy Reviews work, head to https://resolve.co.uk/services/it-support/it-strategy-review/
