The effective use of information technology is seen by many as the key differentiator between the successful enterprise and the mediocre although it has always been difficult to demonstrate the actual value of IT investment. However, this situation is no longer acceptable. Today, as management faces increasing pressure to cut costs and increase margins, even the most essential IT investment comes under scrutiny. Achieving Maximum Value from Information Systems argues that to realise business benefits successfully, technology must be carefully integrated with the business strategy of the enterprise and its corporate culture. The book then proposes a unique approach to this crucial process called Active Benefit Realisation. This involves continuous participative evaluation to manage inevitable changes in the business, and a shifting of the focus of information systems to the shared responsibility of a group of the main information systems stakeholders.

Achieving Maximum Value From Information Systems: A Process Approach

Business & Money

WHITE, TERRY

Remenyi, Dan

Sherwood-Smith, Michael

Management & Leadership

John Wiley&Sons, Inc.

The rapidly increasing level of expenditure on information technology in most organisations is one reason why IT benefits management has become an important business concern. Top management have begun to insist that much more attention be paid to the economic aspects of information systems. This had led to a great demand for a comprehensive IT metric. However, little attempt has yet been made to produce a complete approach to understanding the economics of how information is used to boost the efficiency or effectiveness of companies. This second and fully updated edition of The Effective Measurement and Management of IT Costs and Benefits provides a basic framework for an understanding of the economic issues of information as well as some suggestions as to how a company's IT efforts may be appraised. The authors discuss a number of different evaluation concepts as well as reviewing several approaches to cost and benefit measurement. An IT Assessment Metric (ITAM) is proposed which allows firms to measure their progress towards obtaining maximum value from their information technology efforts. - A professional level book for the computer Weekly Professional Series- Provides a basic framework for an understanding of the economic issues of information as well as some suggestions as to how a company's IT efforts may be appraised.

The Effective Measurement and Management of It Costs and Benefits (Computer Weekly Professional Series)

Money, Arthur H.

Irani, Zahir

Computers & Technology

Butterworth-Heinemann

Frequently not enough attention is given to producing a comprehensive business case or to producing an economic justification for an information systems investment. In fact many organizations are not clear as to what constitutes a sound business case and how to go about producing one. This Professional level book for the Computer Weekly Professional Series will show how to go about justification for I.T. spend. This book is designed for all those who are involved in the decision to invest in information systems. This book is especially relevant to senior business executives, senior financial managers and IT executives. Business consultants, computer and corporate advisors will also find the ideas and material addressed in this text of particular benefit as will anyone involved in corporate and strategic planning.In addition, senior students such as those working towards their MBAs will find this book of use.A business case is a statement or a series of statements that demonstrate the economic value of a particular intervention, a course of action or a specific investment. A business case is not simply a financial forecast of the hardware and software costs and the expected benefits. A business case for an information systems investment involves a comprehensive understanding of both the likely resources as well as the business drivers which will assist business managers improve their performance and thereby obtain a stream of benefits from the investment.In general there are approximately six steps in producing a business case for an information systems investment.1. Determine the high-level business outcomes that will be clearly and comprehensively expressed as a set of opportunities the organization can take advantage of, or problems that need to be rectified.2. Identify the corporate critical success factors that will be supported or enhanced by the operation of the completed information systems project or investment.3. Create a list of specific and detailed outcomes or benefits, their appropriate metrics, measuring methods and responsibility points that are represented by the stakeholders.4. Quantify the contribution made by the outcomes, which requires associating numbers or benefit values with outcomes where this is possible.5. Highlight the risks associated with the project.Fundamental to this new approach to developing a business case for information systems investment is the fact that it incorporates much more than the financial numbers which are typically found in the standard approach to a feasibility study. This approach looks behind the financial numbers to the improvements in business performance which are facilitated by information systems and which are the real drivers of the benefits. Furthermore, this approach to developing a business case allows the organization to manage the process so that the required results are achieved. Looks at how to put a business case together and has the added benefit of a series of forms and templates to enable quick business plans to be put together, available to download free from publisher's web siteShows how to create a list of specific and detailed outcomes or benefits, their appropriate metrics, measuring methods and responsibility pointsHighlights the risks associated with projects

It Investment: Making a Business Case (Computer Weekly Professional Series)

Investing

Routledge

Frequently not enough attention is given to producing a comprehensive business case or to producing an economic justification for an information systems investment. In fact many organizations are not clear as to what constitutes a sound business case and how to go about producing one. This Professional level book for the Computer Weekly Professional Series will show how to go about justification for I.T. spend. This book is designed for all those who are involved in the decision to invest in information systems. This book is especially relevant to senior business executives, senior financial managers and IT executives. Business consultants, computer and corporate advisors will also find the ideas and material addressed in this text of particular benefit as will anyone involved in corporate and strategic planning.In addition, senior students such as those working towards their MBAs will find this book of use.A business case is a statement or a series of statements that demonstrate the economic value of a particular intervention, a course of action or a specific investment. A business case is not simply a financial forecast of the hardware and software costs and the expected benefits. A business case for an information systems investment involves a comprehensive understanding of both the likely resources as well as the business drivers which will assist business managers improve their performance and thereby obtain a stream of benefits from the investment.In general there are approximately six steps in producing a business case for an information systems investment.1. Determine the high-level business outcomes that will be clearly and comprehensively expressed as a set of opportunities the organization can take advantage of, or problems that need to be rectified.2

IT Investment: Making a Business Case

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