Suggestions for capturing corporate vision in strategic information systems

In this paper it is suggested that the development and incorporation of a vision of the future is an essential component of business strategy, and that an ability to use this strategic vision is vital to organisations in framing a response to an increasingly turbulent business environment and achieving a sustained competitive advantage. The important role of strategic information systems (SIS) and strategic applications of IS and information technology (IS/IT) in supporting business strategy is discussed, and the need for such systems to incorporate the strategic vision is examined. The concept of vision is shown to have two modes, one of which concerns capturing present detail and one of which is 'future oriented', and a 'vision process' is discussed by which strategic vision may be made operational. It is then argued that the IS development (ISD) methods which are available to the developers of such systems are more suitable for use in the former mode than the latter and will not support the vision process adequately. A number of techniques from a variety of disciplines are examined for compliance with the process, and a proposal is made for a combination of suitable techniques which, it is suggested, would provide the necessary functionality and coverage to develop SIS which support business vision, (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.