Strategic Information Management and Organisational Control

Assignment Brief

• Q1: An organization`s landscape can be expansive and complex. Most organizations rely heavily upon information technology as a way to achieve outcomes. Conduct a needs assessment on your current organization or a familiar organization. Evaluate the cross-functionality of departments to identify gaps or opportunities for more effectively utilizing information technology to improve collaboration, efficiency, and communication. Recommend improvements based on your assessment. Include an explanation of the benefits in your proposal.

• Q2:Respond to the "Apply Your Skills: Case for Critical Analysis: Email Adventure," located at the end of Chapter 17 in the Management textbook.

• Q3: From the perspective of a general manager in your field, which of the organizational control methods outlined in Chapter 19 of the Management textbook do you think would be the most universal? What does organizational control look like in your sphere of influence?

Sample Answer

Strategic Information Management and Organisational Control

Question 1: Needs Assessment and IT Optimization

Modern organisations operate in complex and dynamic environments where efficient information flow and collaboration are crucial to achieving strategic objectives. In conducting a needs assessment for a familiar organisation, a mid-sized UK logistics company, several observations regarding its use of information technology emerged. The organisation relies on IT for inventory management, route optimisation, and communication between distribution centres. However, an evaluation of cross-functional departments revealed several gaps in collaboration and efficiency.

Departments such as logistics, sales, and customer service operate with partially siloed information systems. The logistics team relies on proprietary route management software, whereas the sales team maintains client records in a separate Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. Communication between departments is primarily via email, which causes delays and occasional misalignment in service delivery. Human resources and finance operate largely independently of operational IT systems, further limiting opportunities for data-driven decision-making across the organisation.

Opportunities for improvement include integrating enterprise resource planning (ERP) software to centralise data and facilitate real-time communication between departments. Introducing collaborative platforms such as Microsoft Teams or Slack would enhance project management and internal communication. Additionally, implementing automated reporting tools could bridge information gaps between operational and administrative units, ensuring that decision-makers have timely access to critical data.

The benefits of these improvements are significant. A centralised IT infrastructure would reduce operational inefficiencies, minimise errors due to miscommunication, and increase responsiveness to client demands. Cross-functional collaboration would improve as departments could access shared information, enabling more cohesive planning and execution. Furthermore, automating routine tasks and reporting frees staff to focus on strategic priorities, fostering innovation and a stronger organisational culture.

Question 2: Critical Analysis – Email Adventure Case Study

The "Email Adventure" case highlights the challenges posed by informal digital communication in organisations. In the scenario, unclear email instructions and inconsistent responses led to confusion and operational inefficiencies. A critical analysis demonstrates that while emails provide a fast and cost-effective communication channel, they also carry risks related to ambiguity, overload, and misinterpretation.

From an organisational perspective, the case emphasises the importance of setting clear communication protocols and establishing accountability. One solution involves integrating task management tools with email systems to ensure that instructions are traceable, deadlines are visible, and responsibilities are clearly assigned. For instance, using platforms like Trello or Asana allows employees to convert emails into actionable tasks with progress tracking, reducing the risk of miscommunication.

Another key observation from the case is the role of organisational culture in shaping communication effectiveness. A culture that encourages verification, feedback, and clarity mitigates the risk of operational errors. In practice, training employees on effective email communication and promoting a “read, confirm, act” mindset ensures that messages are properly understood and acted upon.

Continued...