Week 4 Which alignment strategy in SAM model is the best?

Source / Reference:
1)  "A framework for integrating IT governance and business/IT alignment principles" by Maur, W. in der, Walbeek, W. van, Batenburg 2009
http://nvl002.nivel.nl/postprint/PPpp3622.pdf
2)  “VMware Delivers Real Financial Results for Virtualization Business” by Sean Michael Kerner http://www.internetnews.com/itmanagement/vmware-delivers-real-financial-results-for-virtualization-business-.html

Subject:
In Lect 4 - Which alignment strategy in SAM model is the best? and why?
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Response:

In Lecture 4, Strategic Alignment Model (SAM) was discussed. Strategic Alignment Model (SAM) is the model used to propose a set of IT strategy planning framework for thinking to help business to check the consistency between the information architecture and business strategy, as follow:

There are four-led alignment strategies of the strategy alignment model. It is Strategy Execution, Technology Potential, Competitive potential and Service level. 

 Strategy Execution 

Strategy Execution focused that the operations strategy of business is the driver of organization and IT choices. It is a traditional, layer of strategy management thinking. Senior(Top) management formulate business strategy, and IT department implement the strategy only. That is, the top management is the strategy formulator and the IT management is the strategy implementer.

Technology Potential 

Technology Potential also focused that the operations strategy is business power, however its implementation is indispensable to the support of the IT strategy, IT strategic needs both of business operations and business operations related to IT infrastructure and processes need. The business executives must have IT thinking and fully understand the role of IT strategy to support business operations strategy and develop the most support IT strategy. IT managers in this mode is the role of the builders of the enterprise IT architecture, he was responsible for the design of IT architecture consistent with the external environment, and is responsible for the efficient operation of the IT strategy.

Competitive Potential 

Competitive Potential to coordinate the mode from the following three areas to further enhance the strategic position and role of IT:

• Impact of new products and services
• Impact of key strategic attributes
• The development of a new relationship model

Different from the first two modes, the competitive potential to coordinate the model advocated by the IT strategy to transform or enhance the original operation strategy , while the former two modes, depending on the operating strategy.

Service Level 

Service Level is committed to build the world's leading IT systems within the organization to improve service standards. In this mode, operating strategy play a non-directly related role. This coordinate mode is generally considered to be very necessary, but not be able to fully guarantee the enterprise effective use of IT resources, rapid growth, the changes in the market to make timely and correct response.

 

Executives play a role in this model is the prioritization member. Determine how effective allocation of scarce resources within the enterprise, and the same time, he also responsible for the configuration of the enterprise resources in the IT market. In this alignment, IT managers as a member of the corporate leadership team, responsible for internal operations in line with the special mission of high-level instructions.

I think there is no best alignment strategy. We should choose the right alignment for the right situations to create competitive advantage for the business.