IT Lever Analysis

Contents 1 Applications 2 Procedures 3 Instructions 4 Example

A technique used to identify all relevant opportunities where information technology can be applied to reengineer the value stream or redesign the business process. Technologies within the enterprise's current portfolio, as well as new emerging technologies which can be acquired, should be included.

Applications

• To enable change in business processes and activities.
• To implement new, redesigned business activities in innovative ways.

Procedures

1. Identify the portfolio of technologies available (currently available within enterprise or those which can be obtained externally).
2. Explore technology opportunities for rethinking how business activities can be performed. Include the following levers:
• automation
• information delivery
• process redesign
• tracking
• activity analysis
• geographical distribution
• integration of activity work flow and organization.
3. Document options and redesign work flow based on accepted options.
4. For those technologies not currently in portfolio, plan for acquisition and update technical architecture.

Instructions

If an inventory of current technology has been completed (through performing an inventory analysis—see TSRM). In addition, evaluate technologies that are not yet part of the enterprise's portfolio but are either available or emerging in the industry. Consolidate and/or summarize the list, taking care to identify possible generic applications and/or uses.

During brainstorming or a breakthrough session, use the list of technologies to identify all possible innovative uses of technology to provide a breakthrough in the performance of the value stream or process. Address all aspects of technology "levers," including:

• automation of the activity steps
• activity redesign
• activity step sequencing and/or re-sequencing
• activity tracking
• information delivery
• activity integration

geographical considerations, e.g., distribution analysis for client-server solutions see [[The Client Server Methodology (TCSM)'>The Systems Redevelopment Methodology'>TSRM). In addition, evaluate technologies that are not yet part of the enterprise's portfolio but are either available or emerging in the industry. Consolidate and/or summarize the list, taking care to identify possible generic applications and/or uses.

During brainstorming or a breakthrough session, use the list of technologies to identify all possible innovative uses of technology to provide a breakthrough in the performance of the value stream or process. Address all aspects of technology "levers," including:

• automation of the activity steps
• activity redesign
• activity step sequencing and/or re-sequencing
• activity tracking
• information delivery
• activity integration

geographical considerations, e.g., distribution analysis for client-server solutions see [[The Client Server Methodology (TCSM).

Explore all possible "levers" to rethink how the activity is performed. Once all ideas have been explored and consensus is reached, document the technology options chosen and redesign the work flow (see Work Flow Diagramming).

As part of assessing the impact of the reengineering solution set, identify actions required to acquire the technologies not yet included in the technology portfolio and update the current technology inventory. IT Lever Analysis can also be applied to develop implementation strategies, since a key use of technology, in addition to enabling redesign, is an innovative way to implement the desired solution. The results of this application can then be used in transition planning and in related systems redevelopment and client server development tasks. (See TSRM and TCSM).

The example below shows one way of keeping track of technology options, the opportunities available, activities potentially impacted, implementation requirements, and other impacts, such as costs. In addition, each of the "lever" areas described above can be added to this chart, or a separate matrix could be created to ensure completeness.

Example