Project By: Mary John, Harsh Pandya, and Bryon Baumstarck

Professor: Dr. Taverekere Srikantaiah

Course: INFM732

Division of Information TechnologyDivision of Information TechnologyCritical Analysis of the Technology

Strategy at the University of Maryland

OutlineOutline• Organizational Overview

• Project Overview

• Methodology

• Summary of Findings

• SWOT Analysis

• Major Issues & Recommendations

• Conclusion

Organizational OverviewOrganizational Overview

• The DIT manages and monitors all networking and computer

equipment for the University of Maryland – College Park campus.

• Issues and enforces network usage policies, computer use

policies, and provides server resources.

• They are a strong and secured academic resource provider (ELMS,

ARES, SIS, Testudo, etc.)

• Strives to provide the University of Maryland with the state-of-the-

art-and-beyond IT resources to enhance the University’s standard

of excellence in education and research.

Project Overview Project Overview Project Rationale:

“ To better understand the decision-making process of acquiring

and managing technology within the setting of a large research

university along with provide an understanding of how internal

and external factors impact this decision-making process. “

Beneficiaries:

1.Students

2.Staff

3.Faculty

4.Researchers

5.Alumni

Project Overview Project Overview (cont.)(cont.)

Environmental Scanning Issues Why the network refresh project is not utilizing the

latest networking technologies.

Lack of utilization of the latest software as soon as it is

released.

Information Auditing Issues Lack of action on written policies.

Inconsistency between written vision and actual practices.

MethodologyMethodology1.Interview

a) Conducted a 1-hour, personal interview with

Gerry Sneeringer, the Director of IT Security

at DIT.

b) This interview focused on the internal auditing

practices and the utilization of external information

within DIT.

http://www.it.umd.edu/

2. Website

In addition, we also conducted an analysis of publicly available

information from the DIT website.

Summary of FindingsSummary of FindingsDIT strongly abides by their core values.

Committed to the strategic vision and the strategic IT

planning process.

Committed to the implementation of the

recommendations and action items in that plan.

Working in collaboration with the university community.

Dedicated to building a holistic IT environment across the

campus.

Committed to open, transparent, communications in their

interactions.

Graciously and thoughtfully accept critique from others,

and embrace them as a team.

Committed to the hallmark of a highly successful

organization residing in the respect, collegiality, and care

we have for each other in our professional interactions.

SWOT AnalysisSWOT AnalysisSTRENGTHS

Strong customer / consumer

base.

Builds custom software for

better control.

Extensive audit process.

Provide  wide range of services

within the university.

WEAKNESSES

Lack of critical resource

management.

Not utilizing the latest software /

hardware.

Irregular SWOT analysis

process.

Lack of awareness among

university community, mainly

undergraduate students.

Lack of funding / grant control.

OPPORTUNITIES

Better promotion of DIT services

New technological

developments.

Expand the scope of business

to the outside of the UMD

perimeter

THREATS

Other technical service

providers.

Economic instability.

New and continuing data and

system security challenges.

Changes to university

leadership.

Major IssuesChange Management Process.

a)Very slow process.

b)Use of Lifecycle mindset.

c)Assumption that everyone is

informed.

d)Lack of communication

Connection

Recommendations

Change Management Process.

a)Conduct more surveys for a better

understanding.

b)Better mode of communication to

the UMD community.

Hierarchical Structure.

a)Slow decision making process.

b)Bureaucratically Hierarchical in

nature.

c)Assumption that everyone is

informed about the latest

happenings.

d)Changes by the new Leadership.

e)Limitations / control on

fund/grants.

Hierarchical Structure.

a)Flatter team oriented structure.

b)Better team leadership, reporting

and management.

c)Less micro management

d)Encouragement to participate in

the decision making process.

Major Issues

Privacy & Security.

a)Provide access to research

tools to both internal & external

researchers.

b)Securing the privacy of

sensitive personnel data.

Recommendations

Privacy & Security.

a)Incorporate a special team to

test and validate new standards-

based technologies.

b)Provide more "innovative and

leading-edge computing

services".

c)Utilizing of standards-based

technologies.

ConclusionConclusion Two sides of the same coin.

Various unintended flaws within the organization.

Serious considerations to the “recommendations”

Improvement in the communication connection.

Conduct thorough environmental scan and necessary

information audit within the organization due to their

organizational structure.