Workbook 

Strategic IT Planning - Methodology Overview 
This overview tool will help you assess the amount of work that needs to be done to complete this methodology. Completing 
the stages of this methodology leads to the creation of a formal Strategic IT Plan. Every step should be completed as part of 
this process, however, you may have already completed much of this work as part of other projects. For example, you may 
have already documented your hardware and software infrastructure as part of a Disaster Recovery Planning project. In these 
cases you can check off the stage as done and significantly reduce the estimated hours it will take to progress through the 
Strategic IT Planning process. Note that the estimated effort may include more than one individual. In the case of meetings, 
the hours listed are the duration of the meeting. 

Date Date 
Estimated Effort -
Hours Your 
Estimated Duration -
Days Your 
Expected 
DurationStarted Completed � 
Stage Key Tasks 
Low High 
Expected 
Hours Low High 
Stage 1: Plan the Plan 7 15 3.5 15 
Set Strategic Planning Goals 
Establish a Planning Group 
Hold a Kick-Off Meeting 
Create a Preliminary Report 
3 
1 
1 
2 
6 
2 
2 
5 
2 
0.5 
0.5 
0.5 
7 
2 
1 
5 
Stage 2: Document Your Business Strategy 9.5 30 3.5 15 
Describe the Company and Its Background 
Conduct and Industry Analysis 
Document Vision, Mission, and Core Values 
Define Core Business and Its Boundaries 
Create a Financial Picture 
List Strategic Objectives 
1 
2 
1 
1.5 
2 
2 
3 
6 
4 
5 
8 
4 
0.5 
0.5 
0.5 
0.5 
1 
0.5 
2 
2 
2 
2 
5 
2 
Stage 3: Assess the Current IT Situation 23 66 5.5 30 
Document Your IT Organizational Structure 
Document Your Hardware and Software Infrastructure 
Audit Current IT Projects 
Understand the IT Environment 
4 
12 
4 
3 
8 
40 
12 
6 
1 
3 
1 
0.5 
3 
20 
5 
2 
Stage 4: Propose a New IT Situation 12 25 6 15 
Analyze IT Strengths and Weaknesses 
Brainstorm Technology Opportunities 
Document Your Results 
4 
4 
4 
7 
10 
8 
1 
3 
2 
3 
7 
5 
Stage 5: Perform a Gap Analysis 8 19 3 11 
Analyze Alignment Gaps 
Analyze Infrastructure Gaps 
Summarize and Resolve Gaps 
3 
1 
4 
8 
3 
8 
0.5 
0.5 
2 
2 
2 
7 
Stage 6: Propose a Strategic Vision and Governance Model 6.5 16 2 7 
Hold a Vision Meeting with Stakeholders 
Establish a Strategic IT Vision 
Propose a Governance Structure 
4 
1 
1.5 
7 
4 
5 
1 
0.5 
0.5 
3 
2 
2 
Stage 7: Build a Strategic Decision Making Framework 9 24 2.5 9 
Set Strategic Goals and Measures 
Perform a Budget Analysis 
Identify Your Options 
Prioritize Your Projects 
1 
2 
4 
2 
3 
5 
12 
4 
0.5 
0.5 
1 
0.5 
2 
2 
4 
1 
Stage 8: Publish, Promote, and Maintain Your Strategy 7.5 21 8 18 
Build Your Strategic Plan Documentation 
Present Your Plan to Senior Management 
Communicate and Manage Change 
3 
1.5 
3 
8 
3 
10 
3 
3 
2 
6 
5 
7 
TOTAL ACTVITY (HOURS/DAYS) 82.5 216 34 120 

James M. Dutcher Page 1