This framework identifies the areas of technology that need to be addressed, how your business operates with respect to technology, and what technology can be used to help achieve your business goals. It is a good checklist if you are starting a business or doing an annual review. After all three assessments have been completed, you can begin to establish a Strategic and/or Tactical Plan. Not all businesses are the same and each can require different technology, but this framework assumes a typical office environment.
I tried to keep this information in list form and a comprehensive, descriptive document for each assessment and bullet will get quite lengthy. If you choose not to do your IT Strategic Plan or IT Tactical Plan internally, these assessments will assist the vendor with any plan.
I. Internal Systems Assessment – What do you currently have. Can be done with internal staff or external vendor assistance. Output will include an inventory of your current systems.
- Hardware – computers, printers, phones
- Software – including web hosted, where possible indicate contract end dates
- Network – modems, switches
- Miscellaneous – includes unused items
- Data – what information are you collecting, storing, and reporting; where is the data stored
- Supplies
II. Business Assessment – How does your business operate. Includes staff interviews since they are the ones who perform the day-to-day jobs. Output will include functional areas of the business, how they operate, and what is important.
- Review company’s Strategic Plan
- Processes
- Procedures
- Priorities
- CSFs (Critical Success Factors)
- SWOT (Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats) Analysis
III. Industry Technical Assessment – What technology is best utilized after Assessments I and II. This assessment is better done with someone familiar with current technology and assesses current standard technology and availability.
- Computer Hardware Specs – desktop, laptop, tablet
- Computer Software – operating systems, office suite, applications
- Data – usage, storage, integration (internal), integration (external), reporting
- E-Mail – where is it hosted
- Data Backup – type and how often
- Internet Access – choose an Internet Service Provider (ISP)
- Website – yourbusinessname.com; choose a hosting vendor
- User/File Security – how will you protect user logins and data
- Endpoint Protection – choose a vendor who can protect your systems from attacks
- Firewall/Internet Security – are you protected while surfing the internet
- Remote Access/Control – do users need to access systems or data remotely when not in the office
- Training – educate end users regarding technology, including common attacks
- Product Procurement – where to shop
- Policies – allowed and not allowed behavior
- Procedures – how to (SOP – Standard Operating Procedure)
- Disaster Recovery – planning for a disaster that interrupts your business
- Custom Software – do you need something specific that you cannot find on the shelf
- Budgeting – how much will all this technology cost per month or year
- External DNS – pointers to your email and website servers
- Network Hardware – modem, switches, cabling, printers, scanners, other
- Network Software – operating systems
- Routine Tasks – backups, operating system update, software updates, hardware upgrades, hard drive cleanup, endpoint scanning, reports and database queries
- Support – internal staff, external vendors
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