Opportunistic strategy formulation for information systems and technology planning

Existing models and frameworks for information systems and information technology (IS/IT) planning are not robust enough to explain or predict strategic gains and many organizations are wary of investing further in their information infrastructure. Because technology is not the only ingredient of success, a complete and rigorous reconsideration of the techniques, options and approaches to IS/IT planning linked to business strategy is needed. It is argued that this can only be achieved through consideration of the recent organizational processes involved for creating a successful IS/IT strategy. This paper reviews aspects of both the literature on business strategy and IS/IT planning and considers case examples from two organizations in which the contrasting outcomes from the same technical innovation illustrate the dynamics of opportunistic strategy formulation.