A theoretical based categorization scheme for IT strategies

This work presents a categorization scheme for IT strategies. Because of the increased importance of IT for every function within organizations especially enterprises must have an IT strategy. Thereby IT strategies have different objectives and can be distinguished between intentionally developed plans for the future and patterns from the past evolving from actions of the organization. Based on this distinction a three-level categorization scheme for IT strategies based on various theoretical models has been developed allowing the lightweight comparison of different approaches which can be found in practice. The scheme can be used for a quick IT strategy assessment of various organizations. The three levels analyze the role of IT in organizations, the function of IT strategy within the enterprise and the procedures companies using to form IT strategies. The categorization scheme has been used in a qualitative survey. The results indicate companies mainly focus on intended IT strategies and use various processes developing them.