Tech Strategy Archives

New CIO: Assess Current Technology to Craft a Strategic Plan

As the new CIO at my company, which currently has limited technology infrastructure, I have been tasked with building a team and establishing a robust technology platform. I’m going to need to craft a strategic plan for technology. My first step is to understand the existing, limited technology. How should I begin this process? What are the initial steps I should take?

Initial Steps for Understanding Existing Technology

As a new CIO, it is important to take a systematic approach when understanding the existing technology at your company. This will help you identify strengths and weaknesses, as well as potential areas for improvement.

1. Conduct an Assessment of Current Systems

The first step in understanding your company’s technology infrastructure is to conduct a thorough assessment of the current systems in place. This includes hardware, software, networks, and any other technological resources being utilized by the organization.

Gather all relevant documentation such as system diagrams, user manuals, and IT policies to gain a comprehensive understanding of how the technology is being used.

2. Identify Key Stakeholders

In order to fully understand the impact and functionality of existing technology, it is crucial to identify key stakeholders who are responsible for using or managing these systems. This may include department heads, IT staff, and end-users.

Schedule interviews or meetings with these individuals to gain insights into their perspectives on the current technology and any pain points they may have experienced.

3. Analyze Data Usage and Performance

Data is a valuable resource for understanding technology usage in the organization. Analyze data usage patterns, storage capacities, and system performance to spot areas for improvement.

This step helps you grasp the key systems and data to prioritize in your tech strategy.

4. Compare with Industry Standards

To assess your company’s tech position, compare current systems with industry standards to pinpoint gaps or outdated tech for improvement.

5. Consider Future Goals and Strategies

As a CIO, it’s crucial to evaluate current tech and grasp the organization’s future goals. Align tech strategy with business objectives and plan for upcoming needs.

6. Develop a Technology Roadmap

Use the gathered information to create a tech roadmap detailing steps to achieve your desired tech state. Include short and long-term goals, budget, and timelines.

7. Communicate and Collaborate

Engage all key stakeholders in developing and executing the tech roadmap. Regularly communicate with department heads, IT staff, and end-users to align with business goals and gather tech feedback.

8. Regularly Review and Update the Technology Strategy

Technology is constantly evolving, and it is important to regularly review and update your technology strategy to stay current and competitive. This will also help identify any new opportunities for improvement or potential risks that may arise.

Creating a tech strategic plan involves evaluating current systems, comparing to industry standards, aligning with future goals, & engaging key stakeholders. Regularly review and update your strategy to stay ahead in the ever-evolving digital landscape. Continue researching new technologies and industry trends to keep your organization competitive and successful.

With a solid tech strategy, you can adeptly steer through tech changes and boost your organization’s growth.

Dedicate time and resources to developing a strategy that addresses all aspects of your business operations. This will benefit your current systems and prepare you for future advancements. Remember, technology is a crucial component of your organization’s success and should be treated as such. Keep evolving and adapting your strategy to stay ahead. Evaluate and prioritize your organization’s technology needs, involve key stakeholders in decision-making, and regularly update your strategy for continued growth and success.

Click here to learn how to develop a technology strategic plan.

Automated Software Testing Has Significant Value

As a tech executive there is no denying the fact that manual testing has been a critical part of the software development process for a long time. It involves creating and executing test scripts manually to identify bugs, errors, and other defects in the software. However, with the increasing complexity and scalability of software applications, the need for automated software testing has become more pressing.

Switching from manual test scripts to automated software testing has become essential in application development.

Manual testing is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and prone to human error, making it costly for organizations. In contrast, automation offers increased efficiency, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness. One main reason for adopting automation is to improve testing speed and efficiency. Manual testing requires executing each test case individually, taking a significant amount of time for complex applications. Automated testing allows simultaneous execution of multiple test cases, significantly reducing overall testing time.

Automated software testing ensures consistency in testing by eliminating human error.

Manual testing is prone to mistakes due to fatigue, distractions, or simple oversight. Automated tests, however, run in a specific manner and provide consistent, accurate results every time. This boosts the reliability of testing and reduces the chances of missed defects. Another major advantage of automation is its cost-effectiveness. While manual testing may require a large team and resources, automation can be done with minimal resources. Once set up, automated tests can be run repeatedly at no additional cost, reducing overall testing expenses and freeing up resources for other tasks.

In addition to practical benefits, automated software testing allows for better test coverage.

Manual testing struggles to cover all possible scenarios and edge cases, whereas automated tests can cover a wide range of user scenarios and test cases, ensuring comprehensive testing. However, automation has its limitations. Not all testing can be fully automated; manual testing may still be needed for visual or user experience aspects. The initial setup and maintenance of automated tests can be time-consuming and require programming expertise, along with continuous updates to keep up with software changes. Despite these drawbacks, automation is crucial in modern software testing. It enables faster, more accurate, and cost-effective testing, helping companies deliver high-quality products. As technology evolves, automation’s role in software testing will grow, making it essential for organizations to adapt. Using both manual and automated testing approaches, companies can achieve optimal results and ensure a seamless user experience.

In conclusion

While manual testing remains important, automated software testing has revolutionized testing by making it faster, more reliable, and cost-effective. It is now essential for companies to deliver high-quality software products and stay competitive. As technology advances, organizations must embrace automation alongside manual testing for optimal results. Testers should continuously develop their skills in test automation tools and techniques to stay relevant. By combining manual and automated testing strategies, organizations can ensure the delivery of high-quality software that meets customer expectations and drives business success.

Click here for a post on the top testing tools to help achieve automation.

Click here to see how Deloitte does automated software testing.

Tech Executive Revolutionizing ERP Supply Chain Management

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software integrates business processes such as finance, HR, and supply chain management. In the digital age, a tech executive must adopt ERP systems for efficient operations and a competitive edge.

ERP as part of the Supply Chain

Traditional supply chain management involves overseeing the movement of goods and services from suppliers to customers. An ERP system enhances this process by providing comprehensive visibility into your supply chain, enabling oversight from sourcing to delivery. Let’s discuss how a tech executive can enhance their supply chain with ERP.

Streamlining Processes: An ERP system automates processes like order management, inventory, and procurement, minimizing errors and speeding up operations.
Real-time Data Analysis: ERP offers real-time data analysis for insights into your supply chain performance. Identify bottlenecks and optimize your supply chain with informed decisions.
Supplier Collaboration: ERP systems facilitate smooth collaboration with suppliers, enhancing communication and coordination for improved relationships and efficient supply chain management.
Inventory Management: ERP aids in monitoring inventory levels for timely restocking, avoiding understocking or overstocking to minimize stockouts and excess inventory.
Demand Forecasting: ERP systems, with historical data and real-time insights, aid in forecasting demand accurately. This improves planning and decision-making, ensuring optimal inventory levels.
Better Customer Service: With ERP, track orders and shipments in real-time to give customers precise delivery dates and updates, boosting satisfaction and loyalty.

In addition, ERP systems equip supply chain managers with tools to track metrics, identify cost-saving opportunities, and enhance efficiency.

By providing a full view of the supply chain, managers can make data-driven decisions, streamline processes, and cut costs.

In summary, scalable and customizable, ERP systems suit businesses of all sizes, adjusting to changing needs as the business grows. A tech executive will see enhanced visibility, streamlined processes, and better supplier collaboration through ERP which will keep their business competitive in today’s fast-paced market.

Click here to see a post outlining what an ERP is and how it’s used.

Maintain, Refactor or Reengineer Your Legacy Application Platform

As a tech executive, you should be aware that companies are increasingly reevaluating their legacy application landscapes to decide whether to maintain, refactor, or reengineer them. Managing a mainframe can be costly, particularly for organizations that have already invested in cloud infrastructure. However, the substantial power offered by mainframes makes them difficult for a tech executive to abandon. So, how does a tech exec assess a legacy environment and determine what should be migrated, retained, or integrated with the cloud?

When assessing a legacy application environment, consider factors like age, complexity, and functionality.

A tech executive should evaluate each app’s business value to determine if migration or retirement is needed. Address technical debt, including costs of outdated tech, which affects maintenance costs. Check app compatibility with cloud infrastructure; some may need refactoring for migration. A tech exec can integrate legacy apps with cloud services for benefits while preserving the legacy environment.

Modernizing legacy applications boosts security by fortifying against cyber threats through migration or updates. This process also enhances scalability, flexibility, collaboration, and innovation. For a tech executive, leveraging cloud technologies is essential for competitiveness, providing benefits like cost savings and improved collaboration.

Ultimately, tech execs should base cloud decisions on thorough evaluation and cost-benefit analysis.

With careful planning, a tech executive can modernize their legacy environments and fully benefit from the cloud. Legacy applications should be seen as opportunities to enhance and update technology stacks, leading to increased efficiency, cost savings, and competitiveness in the digital landscape. With thoughtful planning and execution, a tech exec can lead the transition to the cloud successfully and enjoy the benefits of modernizing their legacy systems. Instead of viewing legacy applications as obstacles, they should be seen as opportunities to thrive in today’s digital world.

Click here to see a post on leveraging microservices to modernize applications.

Integrating HR Software or Not – Tough Decision for a Tech Exec

After my post on integrating Workday with SAP and ServiceNow I was asked by a tech executive if it made more sense just to replace Workday with the new SAP HXM platform. It depends on your business needs and objectives. Integrating HR software can be tricky. HXM is a relatively new concept that combines human resources, technology, and experience to create a more holistic approach to managing employees.

One key benefit of HXM is its emphasis on employee experience.

It goes beyond managing tasks to consider the overall employee experience, covering career growth, recognition, and work-life balance. In contrast, Workday is a cloud-based HCM software known for HR process management, payroll, talent management, and robust data analytics for informed decision-making.

If your organization values a personalized approach to employee management, replacing Workday with HXM could be a smart move. However, if you’re content with Workday’s features and have a functional system in place, switching may not be necessary. The choice between Workday and HXM should hinge on analyzing your organization’s needs and goals, factoring in costs and potential disruptions.

HXM is an exciting concept with the potential to transform workforce management.

A tech exec deciding between Workday and HXM depends on your situation, but exploring HXM for HR tech evolution is crucial. Stay updated on tech trends for better employee management. With the right tech, resources, and experience, improve HR processes for business success. Workday and HXM are powerful tools for modern HR. A tech executive must prioritize needs and goals to adapt HR strategies in the evolving business landscape. Success of HR systems hinge on alignment with your organization’s culture, values, and vision. Stay open-minded, informed, and focused on improvement for excellence in human capital management.

Also, keep in mind the future of AI as a technology enabler for HR solutions. See this post on integrating AI into software solutions.