Dynamic Planning: The Art of Managing beyond Tomorrow

It is increasingly clear that the intelligent use of technology makes a significant difference to a firm's ability to compete in today's complex global marketplace. Executives who are trying to integrate business and Information Technology strategies have made enormous strides. But it is still not enough, say Beverly Goldberg and John Sifonis. In Dynamic Planning, Goldberg and Sifonis offer leaders a tested, successful way to integrate new ideas and processes and technologies into any business, to improve their bottom line and to build a foundation for competing more effectively in the future. In this elegant blend of practical consulting experience and four years of extensive research, Goldberg (an executive at a New York-based think tank) and Sifonis (rated one of the top ten management consultants in America by Information Week) introduce the Dynamic Planning Framework SM, a pragmatic tool for business and IT managers. Dynamic planning is based on four interrelated principles: taking a long-term view; holistic thinking; openness to change; and integrating business and technology. By uncovering weaknesses, the Dynamic Planning Framework helps managers choose which processes to redesign. By encouraging comparisons with other organizations, it leads to improved quality and customer satisfaction. By instilling awareness of the need to constantly monitor developments in the economy, in technology, and in the social and political climate, it helps executives create and maintain a flexible, learning organization. Through numerous, exciting case histories of national and multinational companies, the book illustrates the activities involved in the Dynamic Planning Framework, including the Strategic Alignment Model, the groundbreaking process for integrating business and IT strategy, which is based on a landmark MIT project in which Sifonis participated. Other essential techniques include critical success factor analysis and assumption surfacing, possibilities analysis, enterprise planning, mission statement development, change management programs, and monitoring and evaluating performance. Dynamic Planning is a valuable tool for integrating both sides of a company--business strategy and information technology--to address today's issues and to gain tremendous long-term benefits in an uncertain, challenging business climate. It also teaches how to drive new ideas and technologies into the organization's culture so that they bring the benefits they promise--and that business is desperate for in this difficult and troubling decade.Sifonis, John G. is the author of 'Dynamic Planning: The Art of Managing beyond Tomorrow' with ISBN 9780195083088 and ISBN 0195083083.