CIO Organizational Paper
halima
week_6_assignment_-_cio_paper.pdf
3/29/2014 1
CIO Organization Memo
Before you begin this assignment, be sure you have read the “Wobbly Wheels Case Study,” as well as Chapter 21, Service Management, and Chapter 22, Balancing IT’s Workload. You will also need to review
any feedback you received on your IT Strategic Plan assignments.
Purpose of this Assignment
This assignment gives you the opportunity to apply the course concepts to address the organizational changes needed to evolve the information technology (IT) department into a true CIO organization to
support the Wobbly Wheels Distribution Company (WW). This assignment specifically addresses the following course outcome to enable you to:
explain the roles and responsibilities of an information technology department to support an
organization’s IT strategy
CIO Organization Memo
For this assignment, you will assume the role of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at WW (i.e., you are
Carol). Since you are WW’s first CIO, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) has asked you for a plan for the organizational changes you need to make. One of the first things you realize is that the organization that
exists is just an ‘IT Department’ and you know that what WW needs, and has hired you to do, is to create an organization that fulfills the broad responsibilities of a Chief Information Officer. You know that your
proposal needs to be convincing to the CFO in order for you to get the resources you need.
Assignment
You will develop a memorandum addressed to the CFO that explains how you want to change your IT
Department into a CIO organization and why. Your memo will address each of the topics listed below, and should be written so that it flows well from one section to the next. Each of the topics to be included
is covered in the textbook readings assigned thus far; use the Index to locate specific relevant portions of the text, and to locate additional ideas that may be included in chapters not yet assigned. In addition to
the course materials, at least one external resource (resource other than those provided in the class)
must be used. A separate References page should be included. Remember to use the APA formatting rules and correctly cite and reference your sources with APA format. Use the Grading Rubric to be sure
you have covered everything. Submit your memo in a Microsoft Word memo format, or a document that can be read using Word that uses a memorandum format, with your last name included in the
filename.
Please include the following in your memorandum, ensuring that each section flows well to the next, and that the overall memo creates a compelling justification for your new organizational structure.
Introduction and Purpose – Open your memo with a brief (2 or 3 sentences) explanation of why
you are writing it.
Leadership Philosophy – Since you are the CIO and a member of the senior leadership team of
WW, it is important for the other members of the team to understand your leadership philosophy and the management style you will use to meet the company’s needs. This should be a short
paragraph that ties to the priorities and/or issues outlined in the Case Study, and lays the foundation for the organizational structure you will propose below. This is a good area in which
to do some external research.
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Internal IT Strategies – To show how your IT organization will support WW, you will present and explain five internal IT strategies. For Part 2 of your IT Strategic Plan, you provided at least one
example of an internal IT strategy. Here you will add four more internal IT strategies, so that
you have a total of five. The strategies you develop must address: people, process and technology – at least one strategy for each. Describe each of the five strategies and explain how
they will help improve the organization’s effectiveness. Refer to Chapter 9. For an explanation of internal and external IT strategies, see the portion of the text just prior to Table 9.2.
Current IT Department Structure – Use the information provided in the Case Study to draw an
organization chart depicting the current roles and responsibilities. You may take some liberties in how you align the staff that is described in the Case Study, but all IT staff positions or groups
must be included in the structure. Be sure to introduce or explain your org chart in the memo. Figure 9.2 in Chapter 9 shows one version of an IT organization chart. You may use the Shapes
tool or the SmartArt tool to develop your organizational hierarchy chart, or you may paste in your
chart from another drawing tool.
New CIO Organization – Explain in a paragraph or two how a CIO organization is different from
an IT Department. Be sure to create a transition from the previous section. This may be an area for you to do some external research.
Key Services – List and explain at least five key services that need to be included in your new
CIO organizational structure. You may eliminate functions or positions from your current organizational structure if you believe it will improve your effectiveness and/or efficiency; these
should be explained. You should also add (and explain) any functions that you will need in your new organization. Be sure these services are appropriate to your IT strategies.
New CIO Organization Structure – Briefly explain what changes you will make and why. Draw an
organization chart depicting your new CIO organizational structure. Be sure that the key services you listed are covered by the new organizational structure. (Follow the guidelines for drawing the
organization chart given above for the current organization.)
Key Milestones – Your memo should include at least five key milestones (tasks or events)
associated with accomplishing the changes that you see are needed to change the IT
Department into a CIO organization. Each milestone should be briefly described (in a sentence or two) and a target completion date should be shown. In addition, for each milestone you
should identify at least one issue or concern you have with accomplishing it. An example using a milestone not related to the organization might be: The milestone is to consolidate all servers
into a new data center by Oct 2014. Some issues might be: (1) a secure data center must be
located, (2) it will require significant downtime for the corporate servers, and (3) the initial cost will be high.
Conclusion – Provide an appropriate closing to your memo.
The "right" and "wrong" answers have to do with whether or not you correctly incorporated the course
concepts and vocabulary from the textbook and addressed all parts of the assignment. You need to do some external research on at least one aspect of the assignment - your choice - and incorporate it and
cite/reference it in APA format in your response. The organizational structure you propose is not as important as that it makes sense in light of the course content and the Case Study. Use the Rubric below
to be sure you have covered all aspects of the assignment.
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GRADING RUBRIC:
Criterion 90-100% Far Above
Standards
80-89% Above
Standards
70-79% Meets
Standards
60-69% Below
Standards
< 60% Well Below
Standards
Total Possible
Points
Introduction and Purpose
5 Points
Introduction and
purpose of the memo are clear
and concise and set the stage for
the remainder of the memo;
clearly tied to the
Case Study; demonstrate
understanding of course concepts,
analysis and
critical thinking.
4 Points
Introduction
and purpose of the memo are
clear and concise, set the
stage for the remainder of
the memo, and
are tied to the Case Study.
3.5 Points
Introduction and
purpose provide explanation of
why the memo is being written.
3 Points
Introduction
and purpose may not be as
clear, concise, or set the stage
for the remainder of
the memo.
0-2 Points
Introduction
and purpose are not
provided; and/or are not
appropriate to the Case
Study; or
provide too little
information.
5
Leadership
Philosophy
9-10 Points
CIO leadership
philosophy and
management style are well
defined with reference used to
support
explanation; explicitly tied to
the priorities and/or issues in
the Case Study;
and lay the foundation for
the organizational structure
proposed in the memo.
8 Points
CIO leadership
philosophy and
management style are well
defined; are tied to the
priorities
and/or issues in the Case Study;
and lay the foundation for
the
organizational structure
proposed in the memo.
7 Points
CIO leadership
philosophy and
management style are
discussed and are tied to the
Case Study.
6 Points
CIO leadership
philosophy and
management style may be
partially defined; and/or
partially tied to
the priorities and/or issues in
the Case Study.
0-5 Points
Leadership
philosophy
and management
style are not included; are
clearly not tied
to the Case Study; and/or
provide too little
information.
10
Internal IT
Strategies
9-10 Points
Five IT strategies
are presented,
fully described and a full and
convincing explanation given
as to how each will improve the
organization’s
effectiveness; IT
8 Points
Five IT
strategies are
presented, fully described and a
full and a good explanation
given as to how each will
improve the
organization’s
7 Points
Five IT
strategies are
presented, described and
an explanation given as to how
each will improve the
organization’s
effectiveness; IT
6 Points
Fewer than five
IT strategies
are presented; descriptions
and explanations
are partially complete or
accurate;
strategies are
0-5 Points
Internal IT
Strategies are
not included; are not tied to
the Case Study; and/or
provide too little
information.
10
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strategies are very appropriate
for the Case Study. There is
at least one
strategy for each of: people,
process, and technology;
demonstrates
strong understanding of
course vocabulary and
concepts, analysis and
critical thinking.
effectiveness; IT strategies
are appropriate for the Case
Study. There is
at least one strategy for
each of: people,
process, and
technology; demonstrates
understanding of course
vocabulary and concepts.
strategies are appropriate for
the Case Study. There is at least
one strategy for
each of: people, process, and
technology.
not appropriate for the Case
Study; and or do not cover
people, process
and technology.
Current IT Department
Structure
9-10 Points
A well-written
introduction to this section is
followed by an organizational
chart that includes all of the
current positions
and groups of the IT staff; is highly
relevant to the Case Study.
Organization
chart is very professionally
presented; uses a logical and easily
understandable
structure, and spelling is
correct.
8 Points
An appropriate
introduction to this section is
followed by an organizational
chart that includes all of
the current
positions and groups of the
IT staff; is relevant to the
Case Study;
organization chart is
professionally presented;
uses a logical
structure, and spelling is
correct.
7 Points
An introduction
to this section is followed by an
organizational chart that
includes all of the current
positions and
groups of the IT staff; is relevant
to the Case Study;
organization
chart uses a logical
structure, with very few spelling
errors.
6 Points
The
introduction is somewhat
applicable, or missing; the
organizational chart does not
include all
current positions and
groups of the IT staff; chart
is not relevant
to the Case Study; chart
does not use a logical
structure;
and/or contains several spelling
errors.
0-5 Points
Current IT
Department organization
chart is not included or is
extremely poorly
presented,
contains many spelling errors
and/or does not convey the
information.
10
New CIO
Organization
9-10 Points
Detailed explanation of
the differences between an IT
Department and
a CIO organization is
well written with reference used to
support
explanation;
8 Points
Explanation of the differences
between an IT Department
and a CIO
organization is complete, well
written and demonstrates
good
understanding
7 Points
An explanation of the
differences between an IT
Department and
a CIO organization is
provided. Transition from
previous
sections is
6 Points
Explanation of the differences
between an IT Department
and a CIO
organization may not be
accurate or complete;
transition may be missing or
0-5 Points
Explanation of differences
between an IT Department
and a CIO
organization is not included,
or extremely minimal in
content or accuracy; little
10
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discussion is tied to previous
sections with good transition;
demonstrates
thorough understanding of
course vocabulary and
concepts,
analysis and critical thinking.
of course vocabulary and
concepts, analysis and
critical thinking.
A smooth transition ties
this section to previous
sections.
provided.
ineffective. effort shown.
Key Services 14-15 Points
More than five
key services are listed and
explained in
detail, including new services;
elimination of functions or
positions no longer needed
are convincingly
explained; services are
highly appropriate to
the IT Strategies
provided above and are
applicable to the Case Study;
demonstrates
understanding of course
vocabulary and concepts,
analysis and critical thinking.
12-13 Points
Five key
services are listed and fully
explained, including new
services;
elimination of functions or
positions no longer needed
are explained
well; services are appropriate
to the IT Strategies
provided above and are
applicable to
the Case Study; demonstrates
understanding of course
vocabulary and
concepts, analysis and
critical thinking.
10-11 Points
Five key services
are listed and explained,
including new services;
eliminated
services are explained. All
services are appropriate to
IT Strategies
above.
9 Points
Fewer than 5
key services are listed or
explained; and/or
explanations
are incomplete; and/or
eliminated functions are
not explained;
and/or services are not
appropriate to IT Strategies
above and/or may not be
applicable to
the Case Study.
0-8 Points
Key Services
are not included, or
are too few and
incompletely
explained; and/or are not
at all appropriate to
the IT
Strategies above and/or
the Case Study.
15
New CIO
Organization Structure
9-10 Points
Explanation of
organizational
changes is complete, well
justified and explicitly tied to
the Case Study.
The chart of the new organization
clearly includes
8 Points
Explanation of
organizational
changes is complete and
tied to the Case Study. The
chart of the new
organization
clearly includes
7 Points
Explanation of
organizational
changes is provided with
rationale for each. Chart of
new organization
includes all key
services listed
6 Points
Explanation of
organizational
changes is inadequate or
incomplete and/or partially
justified; chart of new
organization
chart does not
0-5 Points
Explanation of
organizational
changes is missing or
incomplete; chart of new
organization is not included
or is extremely
poorly
10
3/29/2014 6
the key services listed above, and
is professionally presented using a
logical and easily
understandable structure, with
correct spelling.
the key services listed
above, and is professionally
presented
using a logical structure, with
correct spelling.
above and uses a logical
structure, with very few spelling
errors.
include all key services listed
above; and/or chart does not
use a logical
structure and/or contains
several spelling errors.
presented, contains many
spelling errors and/or does
not convey the
information.
Key
Milestones
9-10 Points
More than five
key milestones
are listed, fully described and
have reasonable target dates;
more than one issue or concern
is provided for
each. Milestones are relevant to
the changes that need to be made,
as discussed in
the memo, are clearly tied to the
Case Study, and demonstrate
understanding of course
vocabulary and
concepts, and critical thinking.
8 Points
Five key
milestones are listed, fully
described and
have reasonable
target dates; more than one
issue or
concern is provided for
some milestones.
Milestones are relevant to the
changes that
need to be made, as
discussed in the memo, and
are relevant to
the Case Study.
7 Points
Five key
milestones (tasks or events)
associated with
accomplishing the
organizational changes are
listed, briefly
described, and show a target
completion date. For each
milestone at least one issue
or concern is
presented.
6 Points
Fewer than five
key milestones are listed and
described;
target dates are missing or
are not reasonable; at
least one issue
or concern is not provided
for each; and/or
milestones are not relevant to
the changes
that need to be made or to the
Case Study.
0-5 Points
Key
Milestones, descriptions,
target dates,
issues and concerns are
missing or incomplete.
10
Conclusion 5 Points
The closing
section of the memo is
appropriate,
relevant, effective and meaningful.
4 Points
The closing
section of the memo is
appropriate and
relevant.
3.5 Points
The closing
section of the memo is
relevant.
3 Points
The closing
section of the memo is
somewhat
effective and/or relevant.
0-2 Points
The closing
section is extremely
incomplete or
not included.
5
External
Research
5 Points
Two or more
sources other than the class
materials are incorporated, are
substantive and
are used effectively.
Sources used are
4 Points
At least one
source other than the class
materials is incorporated
and used
effectively. Source(s) are
relevant and
3.5 Points
At least one
source other than the class
materials is used and properly
incorporated
into the text. Reference is
cited using APA
3 Points
A source other
than the class materials may
be used, but is not properly
incorporated,
and/or is not relevant or
timely; and/or
0-2 Points
No external
research is incorporated
or reference listed is not
cited within
text.
5
3/29/2014 7
relevant and timely, contribute
to the analysis and support
conclusions.
References are appropriately
incorporated and cited using APA
style.
contribute to the analysis.
References are appropriately
incorporated
and cited using APA style.
style. APA style for references and
citations is not followed.
Memo Format
9-10 Points
Memo format is used and content
is very well
organized; appropriate
transitions are included from
one section to
the next; correct sentence
structure, grammar and
spelling; presented in a
professional
format; uses sophisticated
writing and demonstrates
understanding of
course concepts and vocabulary.
8 Points
Memo format is used and
reflects
effective organization;
appropriate transitions are
included from
one section to the next;
correct sentence
structure, grammar and
spelling;
presented in a professional
format.
7 Points
Memo has some organization;
may have some
errors in sentence
structure, grammar and
spelling.
6 Points
Memo format is somewhat
followed; is not
well organized; does not use
appropriate transitions;
and/or does
not use correct sentence
structure, grammar and
spelling.
0-5 Points
Report is extremely
poorly written,
has many grammar
and/or spelling errors, or does
not convey the
information.
10
TOTAL
Possible Points
100
