The Importance of Information Technology Planning
Why your organization must plan every IT project before implementing it
Many companies’ functional areas presented their New Year plans during the tail end of 2020. They outlined specific tactics and demonstrated how these strategies would fit into the central business goals. The Information Technology departments were no exception to this periodic routine.
Technology is increasingly becoming an integral part of all company operations and departments. Everything from human resources to sales to marketing requires robust IT infrastructure and applications. Without a clear strategic plan for Information Technology — including managed IT services, cybersecurity, and cloud computing — things can quickly get messy. This article explores nine compelling reasons why your organization needs to plan every IT project before implementing it.
1. Respond to Change and Issues Seamlessly
The world of Information Technology is ever-changing. You can take advantage of these changes only if you’ve prepared for them. Through strategic planning — and with the support of a trusted IT consulting partner — you can steer your organization through the waves of change and remain successful.
Consider the story of Blockbuster and Netflix. While the former was still stuck with the old way of renting videos, the latter was planning for video streaming — and the outcome speaks for itself.
A robust strategic plan also prepares your organization for unexpected issues. Imagine your engineering team has finished new drawings, but you’re running low on storage space. Luckily, cloud migration is among your strategic plan’s core goals, and your team has already implemented a cloud storage pilot project. The CFO is ready to finance the initiative, making it easier to accelerate the implementation to address the emergency.
An IT strategic plan enables your business to anticipate unfavorable scenarios before they occur. With proper business continuity planning and disaster recovery strategies, you can rest assured you’ll keep abreast of the competition and the changing market trends.
2. Help IT Fit in Everywhere
When laying down their strategies, the IT team will go beyond purely technological considerations. They’ll expand their thinking to cover the overarching company opportunities and goals, charting other departments’ paths alongside their own plans.
For instance, suppose your sales and marketing team is dealing with an increasing volume of client data. Your IT team can plan to increase data analytics capabilities using tools like Power BI, boost on-site data storage, or embrace private cloud and public cloud solutions. And if those solutions are still insufficient, you can outsource to an external IT support provider like Technijian to shore them up.
3. Define Boundaries for Creative Thinking
When developing solutions to your business’s issues, you’ll want to avoid a blank slate, as it gives too much leeway. A strategic plan facilitates conversations around your organizational needs in terms of the best IT features, your preferences, and priorities.
With a strategic plan, everyone will have a fundamental understanding of the organization’s direction. You’ll focus your planning and problem-solving sessions on capabilities — such as software development, network management, and compliance — rather than peripheral choices that don’t improve your larger goals.
A robust plan also ensures your organization enjoys operational efficiency by aligning functional activities to set goals. It guides decision-making and discussions around budgeting and resource allocation.
4. Communicate Intentions to Senior Executives
An IT strategic plan is a crucial tool that will help you convince senior leaders to buy into your intentions. Presenting well-documented plans — covering areas like Microsoft 365 migration, VoIP system upgrades, or cybersecurity solutions — to C-level executives will demonstrate how your ideas fit into organizational goals.
Additionally, some of your efforts may be slightly off-track from the grand vision. Discussing your plan with senior leaders gives them a chance to redirect those efforts in the right direction. Working with experienced CTO services and IT consulting professionals can further strengthen these conversations.
5. Handle Shadow IT Effectively
The emergence of “Shadow IT” has gripped many organizations in recent years. Shadow IT refers to informal IT departments or functions that are not affiliated with the formal IT area. Individual organizational units tend to create them to solve issues pertinent to their specific needs.
Shadow IT tends to crop up when the IT department lacks enough agility or fails to meet other sections’ needs. A robust strategic plan — backed by professional managed IT services and remote monitoring and maintenance (RMM) — will help you identify the root cause of these informal setups and integrate those needs into the broader goals.
6. Boost Cybersecurity
Data thieves and hackers are continually looking for loopholes in the ever-changing technological landscape. They primarily target small businesses and company employees to access IT systems, steal data, plant malware, and execute ransomware attacks.
According to Kaspersky, only 19% of companies with 25 or fewer workers prioritize IT in their strategic plans. A comprehensive cybersecurity strategy should include network security, patch management, phishing protection, and data breach prevention. Even if you can’t handle all of this internally, you can outsource your cybersecurity operations to a trusted partner like Technijian.
Failure to protect your business and customer data can lead to reputational damage, financial losses, and other adverse effects. Your cybersecurity strategy needs to be proactive, not reactive.
7. Facilitate Delegation of Decision-Making
Delegating decision-making can be a challenge. Despite your best efforts, your employees will rarely think exactly the way you do. That’s where strategic planning steps in.
A strategic IT plan provides a clear decision-making roadmap for your employees. With tools like Microsoft 365 and intranet solutions, teams can collaborate effectively and make confident decisions aligned with overarching goals — even when leadership is unavailable. It also helps nurture employees for future IT leadership positions, resulting in a more agile organization.
8. Start with the End Goal in Mind
Starting with the end in mind is the spirit behind all strategic planning efforts. You need to know where you want to take your organization in the next five years. A strategic plan gives your organization a sense of direction and helps set up realistic objectives aligned with its mission and vision.
With a clear plan and the right IT services in place — from server support and desktop support to cloud computing and SD-WAN solutions — you can step out of daily firefighting and start focusing on the important rather than the urgent.
9. Boost Business Profitability and Durability
A dedicated IT plan allows your organization to gain crucial insights into consumer segments and market trends through data analytics and Power BI. A well-strategized approach can channel all sales and marketing efforts into maximum outcomes, leading to increased market share and profits.
Researchers have found that nearly a third of leading companies may be displaced in the next five years. Only those with firm strategic plans — supported by reliable IT management services and business continuity plans — stand a better chance of surviving.
How Can Technijian Help?
If you’re looking for assistance in setting up an IT strategy that will stand the test of time, Technijian is here to help. Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Irvine, California, Technijian has been a trusted managed IT services provider for businesses of all sizes across Orange County and beyond.
Our team of certified IT professionals takes a proactive, client-focused approach. We begin by conducting a microscopic examination of your technology infrastructure and then create a customized IT roadmap tailored to your business goals. Whether you’re a growing startup or an established enterprise, we deliver solutions designed for dependability and flawless performance.
Our Core Services
| Managed IT Services
24/7 monitoring, maintenance, and IT management to keep your business running smoothly. |
Cybersecurity Solutions
Protect against malware, ransomware, phishing, and data breaches with proactive security. |
| Cloud Computing
Private cloud, public cloud, and AWS solutions tailored to your business needs. |
Microsoft 365
Seamless migration, setup, optimization, and ongoing support for Office 365. |
| Server & Desktop Support
Comprehensive server management and desktop support ensuring minimal downtime. |
VoIP Systems
Cost-effective, feature-rich communication systems to enhance connectivity. |
| IT Consulting & CTO Services
Strategic technology planning and expert guidance aligned with your business goals. |
Business Continuity
Disaster recovery and backup solutions to keep your operations resilient. |
| Software Development
Custom WordPress, .NET, and DevOps solutions built for your unique requirements. |
Data Analytics & Power BI
Convert complex data into actionable insights for smarter decision-making. |
| Network Management & SD-WAN
Optimize network performance with advanced SD-WAN and monitoring solutions. |
Compliance & Regulatory Support
Navigate HIPAA, GDPR, and other compliance frameworks with expert guidance. |
Why Choose Technijian?
- 24/7/365 Support: Our dedicated team is always available to address IT issues promptly, ensuring uninterrupted service around the clock.
- Proactive Monitoring (RMM): We perform continuous remote monitoring and maintenance to prevent problems before they happen.
- Customized IT Strategies: Every business has unique DNA. We design IT plans tailored to your specific needs, not based on assumptions or generalities.
- Transparent Pricing: No hidden fees. Predictable IT budgeting that allows you to focus resources on core activities.
- Industry Expertise: We serve businesses across healthcare, finance, manufacturing, legal, education, retail, and more.
- Certified Professionals: Our engineers hold global certifications and possess deep expertise in the latest technologies.
Ready to Transform Your IT Strategy?
Contact Technijian today to schedule a FREE consultation and see how we can inject magic into your business.
📞 (949) 379-8500 | 🌐 technijian.com | ✉ sales@technijian.com
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is an IT strategic plan?
A: An IT strategic plan is a comprehensive document that outlines an organization’s technology goals, priorities, and roadmap over a defined period — typically three to five years. It aligns IT initiatives with broader business objectives and provides a framework for decision-making, budgeting, and resource allocation.
Q2: Why is IT planning important for small businesses?
A: Small businesses are often more vulnerable to cybersecurity threats and market disruptions. An IT plan helps small businesses prioritize their limited resources, protect sensitive data, adopt the right technologies, and stay competitive — even with a smaller budget. With managed IT services from a provider like Technijian, small businesses can access enterprise-level support without the overhead.
Q3: What is Shadow IT, and why is it a concern?
A: Shadow IT refers to technology tools, software, or systems used within an organization without the formal approval or knowledge of the IT department. It’s a concern because it can create security vulnerabilities, data silos, compliance issues, and duplicated efforts. Technijian’s managed IT services and remote monitoring solutions help prevent Shadow IT by ensuring all departments’ needs are addressed proactively.
Q4: How often should an IT strategic plan be updated?
A: While most IT strategic plans cover a three-to-five-year horizon, they should be reviewed and updated at least annually. Technology evolves rapidly, and regular reviews ensure the plan stays aligned with current business goals, emerging threats, and new opportunities. Technijian’s IT consulting and CTO services can assist in keeping your strategy current.
Q5: How does IT planning improve cybersecurity?
A: IT planning improves cybersecurity by identifying potential threats and vulnerabilities early, allocating budget for security tools and training, establishing protocols for data protection, and implementing network security, patch management, and phishing prevention measures. Technijian’s cybersecurity solutions provide end-to-end protection for your business.
Q6: What managed IT services does Technijian offer?
A: Technijian offers a full suite of managed IT services, including 24/7 IT support, cybersecurity solutions, cloud computing (private cloud, public cloud, AWS), Microsoft 365 migration and support, server and desktop support, VoIP systems, software development, data analytics and Power BI, network management and SD-WAN, business continuity and disaster recovery, compliance and regulatory support, and IT consulting with CTO services.
Q7: How can Technijian help my business with cloud computing?
A: Technijian provides secure, scalable cloud solutions including private cloud hosting, public cloud management, and AWS integration. Whether you’re migrating to the cloud for the first time or optimizing an existing cloud environment, Technijian’s team ensures a seamless transition with minimal disruption to your business operations.
Q8: What industries does Technijian serve?
A: Technijian serves a wide range of industries including healthcare, finance and banking, manufacturing, legal services, education, retail and e-commerce, real estate, government, nonprofits, technology and software development, hospitality, energy, and more. Each solution is customized to meet industry-specific IT and compliance requirements.
Q9: How do I get started with Technijian?
A: Getting started is simple. Contact Technijian at (949) 379-8500 or visit technijian.com to schedule a free IT consultation. Our team will assess your current infrastructure, understand your business goals, and develop a customized IT strategy built just for you.
Q10: What happens if a company does not have an IT plan?
A: Without an IT plan, companies risk falling behind competitors, making reactive rather than strategic technology investments, experiencing cybersecurity breaches, dealing with misaligned departmental goals, and struggling to adapt to market changes. Studies suggest that nearly a third of leading companies could be displaced within five years without firm strategic plans. Partnering with Technijian ensures you have a proactive, expert-backed IT roadmap in place.
