Documents Contributed by ECAR; Strategic Planning, IT; and Strategic Planning

This research bulletin is a personal account of the career of James Penrod, who served as chief information officer at four higher education institutions for over 25 years. Well known as an expert on leadership, Penrod discusses critical success factors for CIO leaders, from strategic planning to portfolio and policy development to knowing your personal strengths and limits.

This case study explores how the University of Delaware has achieved a high degree of alignment between information technology and institution-wide priorities. It describes how an institutional culture based on high morale, strong informal communication channels, trust, and clearly articulated institutional goals fosters a climate conducive to close alignment between IT activities and the academic mission.

This case study explores the processes and structures put in place by the first chief information officer of The University of Memphis in order to align its information technology organization with institutional goals. It provides an in-depth look at information technology governance, planning, performance management, and metrics as they relate to leading and managing an IT organization.

Colleges and universities, as well as IT organizations, are being asked to be accountable for funds and for results. This Research Bulletin explores several types of accountability and how they apply to different environments. Higher education institutions and IT organizations can use this as a foundation to address accountability issues.