IT Strategy Document

[reverse_atomic_roger]

Hi All,

 

I've just been promoted (yay!) and I have to write an IT strategy with no experience or help (boo!)

 

I've been at my current school for 9 years as assistant network manager. We've never been asked for any sort of long term plan, and anything we've offered has generally been ignored.

 

Now, in a 6 month period, we have a new Head, a new Bursar, and most recently, the Network Manager moved over to full time teaching, and I'm now the network manager. The new senior leaders want to do things properly, and that means getting an IT strategy/5 year plan type thing in place. There are *lots* of things I want to do in the background to do with backups, SANs, WiFi, and a bunch of other stuff. They also want academic side strategy as well, which I'm less sure of, having never done any teaching.

 

Mostly, I'm not sure on the structure of the document. How much detail should I go into, since nobody else reading it is technical (the whole technical IT team is me!)? Does anybody have a sample they don't mind sharing (it could be an old one. I'm looking for structure/layout, not technical ideas), or some links to good examples online?

 

Any advice on tone or layout would be much appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance

[Gibson335]

Do you have an ICT faculty head? If so, speak to them about the academic/curric side of things. It's very hard not to use tech-speak and acronyms when developing a plan, so make sure you include a key as to what everything means. I would do two documents - a bullet point general strategy, followed by a more detailed breakdown of what it is, why it's important, its predicted longevity, and some ballpark figures. But also be aware that 5 year plans will change...3 year plans will change...going into this summer I was completely unaware of 2 major developments that SLT have subsequently agreed to do next summer, snatching away 30 grand of my budget plans in the process...have B, C and even D plans as well...

[GeekyPete]

Definately do two docuemnts, the full plan and an Executive overview that summarises the full plan.

 

Start with the requirements, talk to the staff, google forms could be your friend and gather as many ideas as you can. In there you will find the justification for the projects you know you need. Ask questions like How would the computers going off in the middle of a lesson affect teaching and learning. What's more important, the latest gadgets or a system that just works...

 

From that produce a list of VITAL, thing that the network MUST do. The School cannot function without the network doing these points, Mission critial. Essential things that the network Should do once the Vital points are met. And finally the desirables, things that people want, that can be done given enough time and resources but are not mission critical.

 

Then set out how you are going to meet all the points. Think about whole life cycle, plan refreshes for everything. Some thngs like CCTV or access control might be 10 years or more. Cost in support contracts. Don't initially stick to the budget. Put it down in black and white how much it really costs. Set up a Change Advisory Board, I use the first 15 minutes of the ESLT meeting for this and then all the major stake holders feel they've had a say. Put the strategy before the CAB and let them decide what the school has the budget for. You can then deliver accordingly. Anything asked for above and beyond needs CAB/Budgetary approval.

 

I'm stopping here. I could go on all day about this.

[VeryPC_Anthony_L]

Hi @reverse_atomic_roger sounds like you have a fun job there...

 

As daunting as it sounds it will massively help to manage spending and even get funds to upgrade equipment. As already mentioned it would be worth sitting down with an IT teacher/s and also those who utilise IT alot / actively promote its use.

 

Getting input from them will allow you to not just look at the needs from not just the tech side but also from the education side. You will also then be able to align certain things you might want to do with the educational requirements. For example departments may be requesting classroom laptop trolleys, against this you could put the need to have the wireless upgraded or improved.

Its worth producing rough budgets for the next 5 years based on what you would like to do. Large expense items like servers or a mass replacement of computers are generally once every 3 to 5 years, more the 5 mark. If you can show that in say year 2 you have a massive expense but that years 3,4,5,6,7 need less money on computers but that year 7/8 will need the computers replaced in will work in your favour. of course the computers may still be ok when it comes to the next upgrade but the school are more able to prepare its funds for an upgrade / large expenditure when its planned for.

 

Hope that helps and it can only be a good thing.

[reverse_atomic_roger]

Thanks guys. I definitely feel a bit less overwhelmed now.

 

I asked to see the whole school strategy that mine would be supporting, but its not finished :/ So I suppose I'll start writing about some stuff I'd do anyway.

 

I will definitely be talking to teachers and faculty heads, and doing a questionnaire.

 

Your advice is much appreciated.

[Eudora931]

Would anyone be willing to put up a sample questionnaire ? I'm doing something very similar and aside from little chats about why certain areas / equipment isn't being used not sure how else to get more curriculum / class based info

[featured_spectre]

1. What do you think the IT department strengths are?

 

2. What do you think the IT department weaknesses are?

 

3. Where do you think the IT department could improve?

 

4. Describe the IT department in 1 word.

 

5. What would you like to see in the future from the IT department?

 

6. Do you use the HelpDesk?

 

7. If not, why?

 

8. Where do you feel you need training? (have options like excel, word, outlook etc)

 

Then flavour it with other questions about sims etc.

[Eudora931]

Some great info - thanks :-)

[speckytecky]

Sent you a PM - I'm happy to share our document. A document that I'd have hugely struggled with if it weren't from the help of fellow Edugeek members helping me with ours.

[featured_spectre]

@speckytecky mind sending me a copy?

[eddyc]

@speckytecky mind sending me a copy too?

[Eudora931]

Hi speckytecky - thanks for offering to send document. Not recieved anything in PM yet?

[labio]

Hey speckytecky I'd be interested as well! If you wouldn't mind

[adamholt1]

I would be interested to see how you've put one together too if you wouldnt mind sending me a copy too!

 

Thank yoU!

[MrPstv]

Also interested,if you don't mind, i would be very grateful.

[ICT_Pro]

Also Interested, if possible to take out personal/official details and publish here so everyone can get some idea. Thanks in adavnace

[Disease]

Sent you a PM - I'm happy to share our document. A document that I'd have hugely struggled with if it weren't from the help of fellow Edugeek members helping me with ours.

 

Could I get a copy of that as well to peruse as I need to revamp mine, Thanks

[Chuckster]

Likewise, me too

[hailstorm]

Me too. I'm in the same situation.

[Carrot63]

I would also really appreciate a copy if you don't mind. Thank you

[maxrebo]

Could i please ask for a copy?

[jaminben]

Can I also have a copy... please.

[GAS]

@speckytecky Please send me a copy too?

[Eudora931]

Speckytecky - you've started something lol

[pcstru]

I'm writing ours as we speak. Must be something in the air...