Getting IT right for E-business

Emerging and developing technologies like information and communication technologies (ICT) offer great opportunities to organisations and individuals to derive the many benefits of conducting business electronically. The actual results of the deployment of ICT, however, have been mixed and there have been some high profile failures. It would appear, therefore, that there are associated risks and challenges to be faced. This paper draws on the wide experience of the author in helping organisations over many years to make effective use of ICT and reap many of the associated benefits while mitigating the risk. It will discuss some of the issues, dilemmas and pitfalls that are faced by management. Two case studies will be summarised to show how some of these issues were successfully addressed by a methodology and supporting framework developed by the author. The methodology is then described with the invitation to others seeking success to explore its potential within their own organisations.