Strategic Information Systems MgmtMonday April 9th

6:30 PMRoom 401

Brian Clement

Discussion Topics

Topics Emerging Technology Providing Interface to Users Issues of Scale Types of Users and Their Expectations User Controlled Resources Representing the organization to users

My focus Communication, Listen/Verify-repeat Build Relationships

Interface Design Goals

No absolute right or wrongo but we all can identify good and bad interfaces

Identify the target audience for the interfaceo Technical or non-technicalo Experience level

Interface Design Goals

Easy & efficient for the target audienceo Use the KISS approacho Leverage the user's strengths, o Help them achieve their goalso Logical, consistent, and easily followedo Special needso Multiple languages

Interface Design Goals

Data collection methodologyo Fill in vs. Pull Down vs. Selectiono Toolbar (completely exposed) o Menu item (trivial user gesture) o Submenu item (more involved user gesture) o Dialog box (explicit user command) o Secondary dialog box (button in first dialog box) o "Advanced” user mode controlso Scripted functions

Interface Design Goals

Identify the desired outcomeso What data do you want to collecto What form do you want the data ino Accept what is entered vs. verify on entry

Understand the processPrototype and review

o Listen closely to your reviewerso Don’t lose sight of the original project goalso Stay focused – watch out for scope creep

Issues of Scale

As an IT project size increases, success rates tend to decrease

(Denker, Ahmet, The Challenge of Large-Scale IT Projects, World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology 9/2005)

o More userso More interface requirements increaseo More opinionso More requirementso More managers, technical staff and users

broader range of skills, abilities and understanding

Issues of Scale

More issues to addressCommunicate, Communicate, CommunicateHave the right peopleAttempt to keep politics out of tech.

decisionsStay focusedDon’t lose sight of the original project goals

Types of Users and Their Expectations

Executiveso Organizational based perspectiveo Dashboards o Ability to data mine as neededo Immediate access to any data

Types of Users and Their Expectations

Directorso Division based perspectiveo Dashboardso Defined interval reportingo Adhoc reportingo Immediate access to Division based datao Ability to manipulate/compare data

Types of Users and Their Expectations

Managerso Department based perspectiveo Dashboardso Defined interval reportingo Adhoc reportingo Immediate access to Department based datao Ability to manipulate/compare data o Data entry

Types of Users and Their Expectations

End users o Defined interval reportingo Adhoc reportingo Immediate access to Department based datao Ability to manipulate/compare data o Data entry

User Controlled Resources (office, mobile, software)

Communication, Communication, Communication

TrainingPolicyProcedure

Representing the organization to users

User focusedContact plan

o Helpdesk (phone, email, etc.)o Web presence

Representing the organization to users

Keep Leadership Group informedo Strategic Planso Emergencieso Elevator conversation speech ready and waitingo Meet regularly (dept., div., exec)

individual group

Representing the organization to users

User needs to "Leadership"o Submission processo Approval/Denial processo Communicate where this lies in the priority list

Representing the organization to users

Communication, Communication, Communication

Listen

Repeat , Repeat, ...Verify

Build relationships with peers Earn trust and respect Be truthful

Representing the organization to users

Set priorities o Up the mgmt. chaino Down the Mgmt Chaino Publicize the Priorities

Representing the organization to users

Establish Project planso Establish realistic Milestones & Deadlineso Communicate the project planso Project creep

Obtain signoffs Establish process for project changes Adjust project plan Communicate changes and the effect of change

Representing the organization to users

Expect problemso Expect Conflicto Be proactive o Be prepared

Emerging Technology

o Surviving and thriving in the tech leap-frog game.

o Stay current with Technologyo Determine your organizations technology

threshold Is the Organization willing to chance a run on the tech

edge? Are you willing to chance a run on the technology edge? Do you have the right people to run on the tech edge? Are your customers willing to run on the tech edge? What happens if it doesn’t work?

Summation

Be committed Learn the business, not just your departmentSet goals high – push yourself & those around

youStrive for excellenceWork to exceed expectations (not to meet

them)Take calculated risks