Category Archives: Books

Implementing World Class IT Strategy – Book Review

Implementing World Class IT Strategy Book Cover Implementing World Class IT Strategy
1st Edition
Peter A. High
Management & Leadership
Wiley Press/Jossey-Bass
August 21, 2014
Hardcover
229

The book, Implementing World Class IT Strategy: How IT Can Drive Organizational Innovation by Peter High is a great follow up to Peter's first book World Class IT: Why Businesses Succeed When IT Triumphs.  This is a must read for every business leader.

The book shares relevant examples of real-world CIOs overcoming the traditional challenges companies face when developing strategies.  As a CIO I find having an IT mission statement crucial for focusing my teams.  Chapter 3 goes into great detail on the value of an IT mission statement and provides some great, real-world examples.  My favorite is on page 56.

This is a book I've given to my leadership team and I highly recommend reading it. You'll probably want to keep a copy close by for frequent reference.

World Class IT – Book Review

World Class IT: Why Businesses Succeed When IT Triumphs Book Cover World Class IT: Why Businesses Succeed When IT Triumphs
1st Edition
Peter A. High
Management & Leadership
Wiley Press/Jossey-Bass
December 9, 2009
Hardcover
192

The book, World Class IT: Why Business Succeeds When IT Triumphs by Peter High is a book I read very early in my career as a CIO.  The book lays out five principles of "World Class IT" that provide a great foundation for any IT leader.

  1. People - Recruit, Train and Retain World Class IT Employees
  2. Infrastructure - Build and Maintain a Robust IT Infrastructure
  3. Project & Portfolio Management - Field an Effective Project Development & Portfolio Management Process
  4. IT & Business Partnerships - Ensure that IT Partners within the Department and with the Business
  5. External Partnerships - Develop a Collaborative Relationship with External Partners

The concepts in the book are as relevant today as when the book was first published.  I find myself often referring back to the book for guidance on our continuous IT transformation journey.  I highly recommend adding this book to your library.