‘… A frustration facing not-for-profit executives is that many of the management frameworks and measures are designed for profit-seeking organisations where the performance measures of profit, shareholder value and corporate citizenship are clear. … leaders of not-for profit organisations need a different management framework to help strategise and govern…’
(Weill & Ross, 2004)
As information systems and supporting technologies have become increasingly important to the successful operation of Higher Education Institutions, so it has become more important for senior managers and governors to assure themselves that IT investments are aligned to strategy.
JISC responded to this issue in 2005 by commissioning a project, based at the University of Strathclyde, which developed a self-assessment process and supporting toolkit for institutions. This process is designed to encourage institutions to reflect on the management and governance of their information systems by thinking in a structured way about what they want to achieve from strategic investments and whether current structures and practices are aligned to objectives.
The toolkit also encourages institutions to develop an action plan to address areas of perceived weakness, with the toolkit providing references to an extensive range of existing best practice guidelines and other resources for institutions to consider.
The toolkit was piloted by a number of HEIs during 2006/07 and the feedback received from those institutions proved extremely valuable in refining the toolkit.