Introduction:
In the business world, different organizations have taken the use of technology to the next level. Before the inception of technology into business, most of the operations were rather manual. This has, however, changed as a result of immense dynamics both in the technology industry and the corporate sectors. One technology that is adversely used is information technology. Many organizations in the modern times have incorporated the use of information technology, not just to compliment other operations, but as an important pillar towards modernizing operations. Every institution has at least an aspect of information technology in the various organizations. The introduction of information technology has changed the operational mode of different institutions (Strassmann, 1994). Operations have been made easy and manageable to the extent that technology has become the face of modern operations in the business world as well as the corporate world. The use of technology has brought with it a number of positive aspects.
One of the positives is that it has enhanced efficiency in the operations. Secondly, and most importantly is that information technology has brought the essence of accountability. In this sense, many of the operations, resources and every organization's utility can be accounted for in the most appropriate and professional way. Strategic efficiency has also been a major plus with the introduction of information technology in management. However, one of the most outstanding aspects of information technology that has stood out is IT governance (Grace, 2009). This has revolutionized the management industry. Crystal Technologies, is one of such companies that has adopted IT governance as an important pillar. IT governance as defined means the process of managing information technology system to ensure that it meets the expectations of the people as designed. This, however, is controlled to ensure that maximum benefits are achieved.
IT governance has got the important pillars that define its use. One of those key elements is an information technology system. One component of focus is the information technology systems. This is to ensure that the system works as appropriate based on the objectives. The performance of the system is also very important to the extent to which it is expected to deliver. A system that is not capable of meeting the needs and expectations for which it has been instituted is, thus said to be unreliable (Strassmann, 2005). IT governance also focuses on risk management of the information technology system as a basic component for ensuring that risks associated with management are minimized and brought to manageable heights.
IT governance structure in the Organization:
In any institution, like Crystal Technologies, the structure of the governance system is very important and unique. A proper structure determines proper function and management of the system (Brand, 2007). To a large extent, the structure is the most important item when it comes to governance of IT system. In my organization, the dynamics that surround the structure and design of the governance structure is rather unique. The structure that was adopted by Crystal Technologies is a look a like of the top-down organization structure of organizational leadership. In this structure, we have the top executive leadership of the organization. This committee consists of the top management as well as the chief IT officer of the organization. This committee is directly responsible for the proper working of the system. They have to come up with initiatives on how the system needs to be and the purpose for which the system is established. This team of executive designs every investment that relates to information technology.
They are to report both on the positives and the negatives. Their input into the system is of much importance because in their absence, there is no feedback mechanism for the organization with respect to information technology. At the lowest level of Crystal Technologies, we have the staffs that are the end users. The staffs have to ensure that the system works as designed to their advantage and not a disadvantage. Based on their experience with the system, they are to give an immediate response to the first contact officer who later channels the same to the management. They are the best feedback facility within the organization.
Decision Making:
Every institution has to come up with operational procedures that are well guided by principles (Gulledge, 2009). Decisions must be made as appropriate in line with the organizations vision and objectives. The effectiveness of an information technology system is determined by the ability of the stakeholders to make appropriate decisions. The decisions are intended to give deliberations on the best practices that are to be adopted. Decision-making in my organization is not very unique. Since the operations are centralized, the decision making approach in this organization is rather pegged on the decisions by the top executive. All the decisions have to come from the executive for a change to be effected. For example, the executive committee at Crystal Technologies, has to decide on the best architectural model to be adopted for it to be rolled to the rest of the organization. No other group is allowed to come up with decisions directly or indirectly for the purpose of introducing a change in the system.
Discussion: Strengths and Weaknesses
Crystal Technologies to a large extent has tried to be buoyant with respect to adoption of the use of information technology. For example, they have consistently come up with better information technology practices that have boosted the organization's performance. On the strengths, the company has managed to lay down an elaborate information technology structure that defines the wellbeing of the organization (Mullins, 2007). The enterprise architecture has also been made to have that is incorporated with the system to boost the organizations versatility in the market. Adoption of new IT practices and allowing for transformations from time to time has been a major area of transformation. Recently, the organization introduced a new interface that incorporates all the departments of the organization.
On the weaknesses, one major problem that has been experienced in Crystal Technologies has all to do with the top executive. Some of the members of the executive board have in many occasions opposed the introduction of some issues related to IT. They have argued sometimes that the systems introduced would stop the company’s rapid growth and dominance in the market. While these allegations have been farfetched and unreasonable, they have become the single most obstacles to full manifestation of the organization's potential with respect to information technology. The staffs have also resisted the use of IT as a basic component for operation. Case in point is that some of the staffs are not well trained on the use of information systems. For this reason, some have sometimes tried to sabotage the system by not following the basic operation principles.
Improvement:
Information technology is first becoming the face of operations in the world today. Organizations and businesses worldwide are integrating their systems to be in compliance with the diverse technological space. To this extent, it would change the structure of operation in this organization. The only sure way to do this is by decentralization of operations as well as decision-making process. For the structure at Crystal Technologies, I would propose a management overhaul where everyone at the management level has a say in the way the information system should be operated. The decision would not only be left to the executive, but rather spread out across the board. This would also apply to the process of decision-making. The process of decision-making would be decentralized. This would mean that those at the management have the mandate to effect a change as appropriate. This would fasten the technological advancement in the sense that new ideas would find way into the system in the fastest way possible (Schuman, 2005).
Conclusion:
Information technology governance is a very unique affair in the modern technological space. The strength of any information system is the aspect of governance. Also important in this process is the aspect of decision-making. This is an important process that shapes the nature of the information technology system. The essence of governance is to ensure that the system works as intended and meets the needs and expectations for which it is created.
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