Case Studies
A Magazine Publisher: IT Strategy
Client contact: Finance Director
Parkwell staff: 2 consultants
Parkwell staff: 2 consultants
Objectives and project background
Our client is a well known magazine publisher. The majority of their IT systems were based on old technology. There had been little investment in application technology and a point had been reached where many of the applications required replacement.
Parkwell was asked to review their IT strategy and make recommendations to align technology with the overall business strategy.
Anticipated benefits
An IT strategy, aligned with the business strategy, outlining plans to bring our clients systems up to date.
Scope and boundaries
The review focused on the IT Strategy within the context of the overall business strategy. It covered:
- Review of the business plans and goals.
- Review of the existing systems including advertising, editorial, finance, picture library and circulation.
- Review of the IT function structure and the skills of the people within it.
- Review of IT opportunities.
- Identification of the strategic opportunities.
- Development of the strategy plan.
Deliverables
A report, which set out the following:
- The current position - covering the business plan, details of the existing hardware, operating software, databases, tools, infrastructure, project plans, applications, IT skill sets, IT organisation and management.
- The impact of new technologies and how they may be applied.
- The recommended future position including proposed hardware, operating software, databases, tools, infrastructure, applications, IT skill sets, IT organisation and management.
- High level requirements for the applications that need to be changed.
- A detailed plan describing how to get from the current situation to the future vision.
Project conclusion
Our report was presented to the board and our client undertook a programme of projects to update the IT department based on our recommendations.