Industrial Case: Organizing for ERP within a Large Information Technology Shop

This chapter shows how to put matrix management principles to work within a large information technology (IT) organization that is starting to use enterprise resource planning (ERP) packages to perform its standard business functions. It provides some insights into how to structure an information technology (IT) organization to facilitate communications, teamwork, and getting the work done effectively. Such organizations are complex, and there are always a lot of distractions occurring that inhibit performance. Before venturing forth, one should develop a plan of attack, beginning with reviewing background information about the firm, its products, and the organizations that it has chartered to do the work. Understanding customer expectations and the governance requirements that the regulatory organizations place on the computing platform that must be met in order for the firm to do business should be focused upon.