Project By: Mary John, Harsh Pandya, and Bryon Baumstarck
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Transcript of Project By: Mary John, Harsh Pandya, and Bryon Baumstarck
Project By: Mary John, Harsh Pandya, and Bryon Baumstarck
Professor: Dr. Taverekere Srikantaiah
Course: INFM732
Division of Information TechnologyDivision of Information TechnologyCritical Analysis of the Technology
Strategy at the University of Maryland
OutlineOutline• Organizational Overview
• Project Overview
• Methodology
• Summary of Findings
• SWOT Analysis
• Major Issues & Recommendations
• Conclusion
Organizational OverviewOrganizational Overview
• The DIT manages and monitors all networking and computer
equipment for the University of Maryland – College Park campus.
• Issues and enforces network usage policies, computer use
policies, and provides server resources.
• They are a strong and secured academic resource provider (ELMS,
ARES, SIS, Testudo, etc.)
• Strives to provide the University of Maryland with the state-of-the-
art-and-beyond IT resources to enhance the University’s standard
of excellence in education and research.
Project Overview Project Overview Project Rationale:
“ To better understand the decision-making process of acquiring
and managing technology within the setting of a large research
university along with provide an understanding of how internal
and external factors impact this decision-making process. “
Beneficiaries:
1.Students
2.Staff
3.Faculty
4.Researchers
5.Alumni
Project Overview Project Overview (cont.)(cont.)
Environmental Scanning Issues Why the network refresh project is not utilizing the
latest networking technologies.
Lack of utilization of the latest software as soon as it is
released.
Information Auditing Issues Lack of action on written policies.
Inconsistency between written vision and actual practices.
MethodologyMethodology1.Interview
a) Conducted a 1-hour, personal interview with
Gerry Sneeringer, the Director of IT Security
at DIT.
b) This interview focused on the internal auditing
practices and the utilization of external information
within DIT.
http://www.it.umd.edu/
2. Website
In addition, we also conducted an analysis of publicly available
information from the DIT website.
Summary of FindingsSummary of FindingsDIT strongly abides by their core values.
Committed to the strategic vision and the strategic IT
planning process.
Committed to the implementation of the
recommendations and action items in that plan.
Working in collaboration with the university community.
Dedicated to building a holistic IT environment across the
campus.
Committed to open, transparent, communications in their
interactions.
Graciously and thoughtfully accept critique from others,
and embrace them as a team.
Committed to the hallmark of a highly successful
organization residing in the respect, collegiality, and care
we have for each other in our professional interactions.
SWOT AnalysisSWOT AnalysisSTRENGTHS
Strong customer / consumer
base.
Builds custom software for
better control.
Extensive audit process.
Provide wide range of services
within the university.
WEAKNESSES
Lack of critical resource
management.
Not utilizing the latest software /
hardware.
Irregular SWOT analysis
process.
Lack of awareness among
university community, mainly
undergraduate students.
Lack of funding / grant control.
OPPORTUNITIES
Better promotion of DIT services
New technological
developments.
Expand the scope of business
to the outside of the UMD
perimeter
THREATS
Other technical service
providers.
Economic instability.
New and continuing data and
system security challenges.
Changes to university
leadership.
Major IssuesChange Management Process.
a)Very slow process.
b)Use of Lifecycle mindset.
c)Assumption that everyone is
informed.
d)Lack of communication
Connection
Recommendations
Change Management Process.
a)Conduct more surveys for a better
understanding.
b)Better mode of communication to
the UMD community.
Hierarchical Structure.
a)Slow decision making process.
b)Bureaucratically Hierarchical in
nature.
c)Assumption that everyone is
informed about the latest
happenings.
d)Changes by the new Leadership.
e)Limitations / control on
fund/grants.
Hierarchical Structure.
a)Flatter team oriented structure.
b)Better team leadership, reporting
and management.
c)Less micro management
d)Encouragement to participate in
the decision making process.
Major Issues
Privacy & Security.
a)Provide access to research
tools to both internal & external
researchers.
b)Securing the privacy of
sensitive personnel data.
Recommendations
Privacy & Security.
a)Incorporate a special team to
test and validate new standards-
based technologies.
b)Provide more "innovative and
leading-edge computing
services".
c)Utilizing of standards-based
technologies.
ConclusionConclusion Two sides of the same coin.
Various unintended flaws within the organization.
Serious considerations to the “recommendations”
Improvement in the communication connection.
Conduct thorough environmental scan and necessary
information audit within the organization due to their
organizational structure.