As IT infrastructures and systems are becoming increasingly relevant to a company’s success, the need for qualified IT strategy consulting is also growing. The digital transformation is not a trend, but a necessity for companies that want to survive in today’s highly competitive landscape. IT strategy consulting acts as a key component that not only supports companies in implementing their digital plans, but also in achieving their business goals.

What is IT strategy consulting

IT strategy consulting is about developing and implementing an effective IT strategy that meets a company’s business requirements and objectives. This includes a thorough analysis of the current IT environment, the identification of weaknesses and optimization potential and the creation of an action plan for improvement. The focus is on how information technology can act as a catalyst for business innovation and competitiveness.

The aim is to design a company’s technology landscape in such a way that it both meets current requirements and is flexible enough to meet future challenges. IT strategy consulting is often an interdisciplinary approach that integrates both technical and business-oriented perspectives. Not only the technology itself is taken into account, but also its influence on business processes, employees and corporate culture.

Another important aspect is the scalability of the IT strategy. A framework should be created that enables the company to deal with growing requirements and changing market conditions. This requires an in-depth understanding of the industry, competitive conditions and technological trends.

IT strategy consulting is therefore a complex field that requires both technical and business expertise. Close cooperation with the company’s decision-makers is crucial in order to develop an IT strategy that serves the business objectives and delivers a measurable ROI (return on investment).

IT strategy consulting versus digital strategy consulting

The difference between the two forms of strategy consulting can initially appear confusing to outsiders, as the two sectors are closely linked. However, there are clear boundaries:

The focus of digital strategy consulting is on the entire digital transformation of a company, including marketing, sales, customer experience and business model. IT strategy consulting, however, focuses on the technology and system landscape in order to support the business objectives.

To go into more detail, digital consulting touches on a wide range of topics such as SEO, social media, e-commerce and data analysis. IT consulting, on the other hand, specializes in topics such as network architecture, software selection, data security and system integration.

While digital strategy consulting continues to focus on integrating digital opportunities into all areas of the company, IT strategy consulting is more concerned with the efficient use of IT resources and systems. In the IT sector, for example, the main contacts are usually the IT department and senior management. In the case of digital consulting, these are departments such as marketing, sales and customer service.

Finally, digital strategy consulting often takes an agile, iterative approach, while IT strategy consulting tends to pursue long-term planned, comprehensive projects.

IT strategy consulting processes

The process within a consultation can be divided into four main stages.

Analysis

This phase involves taking stock of the company’s current IT landscape. The existing infrastructure, software and processes are analyzed to identify weaknesses and potential for improvement.

Target identification

Targets are defined in close cooperation with management and stakeholders. This is where the specific goals to be achieved with the new IT strategy are defined, such as cost savings or improved data security.

Strategy development

The actual IT strategy is developed on the basis of the analysis and the defined objectives. This includes the selection of technologies, the system architecture and a detailed implementation plan, including a cost estimate.

Implementation

In the implementation phase, the developed strategy is put into practice. This is done in close coordination with the internal IT teams and, if necessary, with external service providers. Progress is continuously monitored and adjustments are made where necessary.

Case study:

Initial situation: A medium-sized production company was faced with the challenge of keeping pace with the growing complexity of its IT infrastructure and increasing security requirements. IT costs had risen continuously in recent years and there were repeated problems with system failures and security gaps.

Analysis: An IT strategy consultancy was commissioned to take stock of the current situation. The analysis revealed several weaknesses, including outdated server hardware, inefficient work processes and inadequate data security.

Target definition:
Clear objectives were defined together with the management:

1. Reduction of IT costs by at least 20%
2. Improvement in system availability to 99.9%
3. Increase data security by adhering to current compliance standards

Strategy development: A comprehensive IT strategy was developed based on the results of the analysis and the defined objectives. This includes moving parts of the IT infrastructure to the cloud, introducing a more efficient data management system and training employees in the use of the new technologies.

Implementation: The strategy was implemented in several phases, accompanied by regular status meetings. Old servers were replaced by cloud-based solutions. A new data management system was introduced and all employees were trained.

Result: Thanks to the new IT strategy, the company was able to reduce its costs by 25%, more than the original target of 20%. System availability has been increased to 99.9% and no further security vulnerabilities have been identified. The digitalization of various business processes has also increased efficiency in various departments.

This best practice example shows the transformative power of a well-thought-out and implemented IT strategy. It underlines how important professional IT strategy consulting can be for a company’s success.

Tasks of IT strategy consulting

The tasks of an IT strategy consultancy cover a broad spectrum of challenges and solutions. The most important fields of activity include

• Analysis of the status quo: First, the current IT landscape in the company is examined in order to identify strengths, weaknesses and potential.
• Target definition: Business objectives and the IT objectives derived from them are defined in close cooperation with management.
• Strategy development:A customized IT strategy is developed based on the analysis and objectives.
• Roadmap planning:A concrete roadmap is drawn up that describes the step-by-step implementation of the IT strategy, including milestones, budget and schedule.
• Technology selection:Consultants evaluate different technologies and solutions to identify the best fit for the organization.
• Implementation support:They offer support during strategy implementation, be it through project management or coordination with other service providers.
• Change management:When implementing new technologies or processes, it is important to prepare and train the organization and employees.
• Risk management:The identification and assessment of risks and the planning of countermeasures are an integral part of IT strategy consulting.
• Governance and compliance:Consultants ensure that the IT strategy and implementation are in line with legal and business-intensive requirements.
• Performance monitoring:Implementation is followed by performance monitoring and any adjustments to the strategy.

The IT strategy consulting provider thus acts as a competent partner that supports the company in all phases of the transformation, from the initial analysis to the final implementation.

Why IT strategy consulting is important

The importance of IT strategy consulting is particularly high in view of an increasingly complex and fast-paced business world. Information technology is no longer just a supporting function, but often a central component of the business model. This is why advice is so important:

• Competitive advantages: A well-thought-out IT strategy can create a significant competitive advantage. It enables the company to react faster, more efficiently and more flexibly to market changes.
• Cost efficiency: Significant cost savings can be achieved by optimizing the IT landscape and the associated processes.
• Risk mitigation: Identifying vulnerabilities and planning appropriate countermeasures minimizes the risk of downtime, data loss or security breaches.
• Business innovation: Technology can serve as a catalyst for new business models or the optimization of existing processes. A smart IT strategy opens the door to innovation.
• Scalability: Companies grow and change. A flexible IT strategy allows the technology to scale with the company.
• Stakeholder involvement: By aligning the IT strategy with the business objectives, greater acceptance is achieved among decision-makers and other stakeholders.
• Compliance and governance: A well thought-out IT strategy can ensure that all regulatory requirements and guidelines are adhered to.
• Agility: The ability to react quickly to change is essential in the modern business world. An agile IT strategy is a key factor here.
• Customer orientation: Digital channels and data analysis can significantly improve the customer experience. The IT strategy plays a decisive role here.

Conclusion

IT strategy consulting plays a key role when it comes to achieving business goals more effectively through technology. The results can be significant: cost reductions, increased efficiency and greater data security are just some of the measurable benefits. The digital landscape is constantly changing and companies must remain flexible in order to remain competitive. Professional IT strategy consulting can not only help to optimize the current status, but also to anticipate future challenges.

FAQ

1. What exactly is IT strategy consulting?

Strategy consulting is the process of helping companies achieve their business goals through the efficient use of technology.

2. How does digital strategy consulting differ from IT strategy consulting?

Digital strategy consulting focuses on a company’s overall digital presence, including marketing and customer experience. IT strategy consulting, on the other hand, focuses specifically on the technological aspects and how these can contribute to achieving business goals.

3 Why is IT strategy consulting important for companies?

IT strategy consulting is critical to business success as it helps to reduce technology costs, increase efficiency and identify new business opportunities.

4 What are the main tasks of an IT strategy consultancy?

The main tasks include analyzing the existing IT infrastructure, defining objectives in line with business goals, developing a tailored strategy and implementing this strategy.

5 What are the advantages of working with an external IT strategy consultancy?

Working with an external IT strategy consultancy offers the advantage of an objective and biased perspective. Experts can contribute best practices from various industries and often have up-to-date knowledge of the latest technology trends.