1 of 17 Information Strategy The Features of an Information Strategy © FAO 2005 IMARK Investing in Information for Development Information Strategy The Features of an Information Strategy

2 of 17 Information Strategy The Features of an Information Strategy Learning Objectives define what an Information Strategy is; recognize the relation between the different types of strategy in organizations; be aware of the benefits of doing an Information Strategy.

3 of 17 Information Strategy The Features of an Information Strategy Introduction A well planned Information Strategy is extremely important to the health of any organization. In fact, major challenges for any organization are: to adapt to external transformation; and to plan for the future.

4 of 17 Information Strategy The Features of an Information Strategy What is strategic about Information We can talk about an Information Strategy because information has strategic significance: It guides decisions, and particularly the important ones that impact in the future. Without information, your staff and stakeholders will not know what they need to do. It is a fast changing area of work with many new opportunities, which can imply substantial investment.

5 of 17 Information Strategy The Features of an Information Strategy What is an Information Strategy? A strategy is a deliberate and planned approach to achieving a vision for the future. (based on sustainable features and resources of the organization). It should start from objectives and describe ways of achieving them. These objectives should be measurable.

6 of 17 Information Strategy The Features of an Information Strategy What are the properties of an Information Strategy? What is an Information Strategy? It deals with the direct information needs of the organization. It offers a framework with a direction and priorities to guide staff and stakeholders in managing the information-related activities. It will need to be reconsidered after 2 years It is formalized and presented as a document. It is the basis for planning, managing and evaluating information- related activities over a significant period of time.

7 of 17 Information Strategy The Features of an Information Strategy The strategy document How should the strategy document look like? Typically, it should be concise and should contain these sections: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY BACKGROUND SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OPTIONS OUTPUTS REQUIREMENTS CONCLUSIONS IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

8 of 17 Information Strategy The Features of an Information Strategy The strategy document You should make sure that the strategy document: ACHIEVES ITS PURPOSE IS AIMED AT THE RIGHT AUDIENCE IS IN THE RIGHT FORM IS PRODUCED COST EFFECTIVELY LOOKS GOOD

9 of 17 Information Strategy The Features of an Information Strategy Relation between the Information Strategy and the Overall Strategy How does your Information Strategy relate to the overall strategy of your organization? The Information Strategy should not be an independent entity: it should be related to the goals and activities of the organization. OVERALL (CORPORATE) STRATEGY Subsidiar y strategy

10 of 17 Information Strategy The Features of an Information Strategy Relation between the Information Strategy and the Overall Strategy If your organization has an overall strategy, you can identify: through the Overall Strategy: the information activities needed to achieve its general objectives. through the Information strategy: the dynamics of how such work is to be managed; and how the different activities relate to each other. The Information Strategy is an essential link between the broader strategic goals and the more detailed information-related processes.

11 of 17 Information Strategy The Features of an Information Strategy Relation between the Information Strategy and the Overall Strategy If your organization does not have an overall strategy in a formal sense, you can use other sources of policy which you can draw from, such as: Five-Year Plan for Agriculture National agricultural policy(ies) Your own organizations policy documents Statements from your Director General or Chief Executive

12 of 17 Information Strategy The Features of an Information Strategy Developing an appropriate Information Strategy An Information Strategy should provide a framework for procedures and processes related to an organizations information activities and needs. Here are three categories of problems found in many organizations, that an appropriate Information Strategy can address...

13 of 17 Information Strategy The Features of an Information Strategy Developing an appropriate Information Strategy CAPACITY ISSUES e.g. Limitations in human resources may restrict options for the development of information products and services. POOR INTEGRATION POOR INTEGRATION INAPPROPRIATE SYSTEMS Poor integration of the various information systems may lead to problems such as duplication of information activities. Limitations in information systems may also restrict options for the development of information products

14 of 17 Information Strategy The Features of an Information Strategy Developing an appropriate Information Strategy APPROPRIATE SYSTEMS IMPROVED CAPACITY BETTER INTEGRATION BETTER INTEGRATION An Information Strategy can help resolve these problems, with the following outcomes: Identification of Critical Gaps; Basis for Resource Allocation. Identification of Critical Gaps; Basis for Resource Allocation. Coordination of roles and responsibilities; Common purpose amongst management. Basis for Operational Decisions; Improved Information Exchange. Basis for Operational Decisions; Improved Information Exchange.

15 of 17 Information Strategy The Features of an Information Strategy The benefits of doing an Information Strategy A good Information Strategy should be of direct practical benefit: TO YOU TO YOUR STAFF TO YOUR ORGANIZATION

16 of 17 Information Strategy The Features of an Information Strategy The benefits of doing an Information Strategy Other potential benefits of an effective Information Strategy are: it can make evaluation easier it is an excellent way of making stakeholders more involved.

17 of 17 Information Strategy The Features of an Information Strategy Summary An Information Strategy is a deliberate and planned approach to achieving a vision for the future. It offers a framework with a direction and priorities which can guide staff and other stakeholders in managing their various information-related activities. It provides a link between the overall strategy and the handling of information on a daily basis. If your Information Strategy is good, it should be of direct practical benefit to you, to your staff, and to your organization.