Strategy and Architecture
Driven by ever changing consumer expectations, downward pressure on costs and an increasingly competitive marketplace agile business models are key ingredients of lasting commercial success. The development of an IT strategy is a business centric activity that has a primary goal of the cost effective alignment of the organisations IT investment with the other strategic business objectives and goals. To achieve this, we collaborate with clients to review the strategic business needs across their organisation, assess the key capabilities for each business area and identify the drivers for competitive advantage.
The realisation of the benefits of an IT Strategy to support current and future business processes requires the support of an equally dynamic IT architecture. IT architecture includes:
- Information Architecture – how the information assets (databases, structured documents, unstructured documents) are managed, disseminated and shared between applications.
- Solution Architecture – the structure of the line of business applications that support the business processes and the functional and data interoperability between applications
- Infrastructure Architecture – the physical infrastructure (hardware, virtualisation and network) supporting the deployment of IT applications and other digital assets
- IT Security – addresses how assets are secured and includes obvious issues such anti-virus, firewalls and perhaps less obvious issues such as disaster recovery and business continuity planning
We work closely with our clients to deliver both company-wide and divisional IT strategies. The strategy incorporates work planning and the development of a roadmap to facilitate implementation of the strategies and attainment of the business benefits. Our technical architects are skilled and experienced across a range of environments and technology stacks. This ensures that the focus always remains on the provision of the most suitable solutions for the client organisation rather that any individual vendor offering.
Assessments and Diagnostics
The definition of an IT Strategy usually starts with a review of the current business processes and any associated IT support systems (current state analysis). The next step is to determine where the business wants to go in the future and what opportunities exist for improvements to current business processes (Future state vision). Business process outputs are reviewed to determine the most appropriate IT initiatives to support both the current state and future vision (Gap analysis). The final step addresses the prioritisation of the implementation of the identified IT initiatives with an objective of maximising the value delivered to the business units and supporting a smooth transition to the future state (Technology roadmap). The roadmap also incorporates the organisational changes that may be necessary to give effect to the strategy. An effective strategy addresses the issues IT governance including the definition of the governance structures and details of how the strategy itself will be measured. Another important consideration is the capacity of the organisation to deliver on the strategy. Where necessary the roadmap identifies recruitment, training and/or outsourcing requirements.
Our architectural approach is predicated on the provision of effective cost efficient solutions. All aspects of the architecture are designed knowing that change will occur over time. Our Service Orientated approach enables responsiveness by facilitating easy changes rather than “rip and replace”. At a strategy level we are concerned about the technology initiatives rather than specific technologies. At an architectural level we define the technical characteristics of the initiatives along with the specific implementation technologies.
Curach employ specific, proven methodologies delivered by highly qualified and experienced consultants to ensure the best possible client outcomes.
Insight
The following Curach Consulting Insight describes the need for an IT Strategy and how it can enable organisations to be more effective in delivering value: Why do you need an IT Strategy?
Success Stories
Bank of Scotland Ireland
Curach Consulting worked with Bank of Scotland Ireland in the development of the bank’s IT Strategy for the next 5 years. The IT strategy is regarded by the bank as a key enabler in delivering business value in a highly competitive market, and is fundamental to achieving its projected growth over the next five years.
Udaras na Gaeltachta
Curach Consulting worked with Údarás to developan new 3-5 year ICT Strategy. It had been some time since the previous ICT Strategy and both the business and technology had moved on considerably. The assignment followed the Curach Consulting methodology. There was considerable emphasis on understanding the business strategy in order to drive the ICT Strategy. Having offices in more remote locations meant that telecommunications were a key element controlling the delivery if IT to the organisation. The strategy developed addressed all areas of the Údarás’ activities, included a comprehensive Future Information Architecture and set out the implementation plan for the coming years. This strategy is currently being implemented.