A methodology to aid the development of information technology strategies

The previous decade has witnessed major change within the information systems (IS) environment with a corresponding emphasis to the importance of specifying timely and accurate information strategies. Hence this paper responds to this emphasis via the development of a methodology to aid the formulation of information technology (IT) strategy. The methodology is suitable for all organisations who seek to plan long term investment strategies, however it is particularly applicable to Small to Medium sized Enterprises (SME) who need to balance long term investment against the risk of short term expenditure. The paper initially describes the modular nature of the methodology prior to a disclosure of the optimum process at the centre of the methodology. The optimisation method uses a linear goal programming (LGP) mathematical approach to analyse IT investment projects through the multivariable optimisation of business goals. The paper concludes with a discussion of the validation of the methodology.