Division of Information Technology
Critical Analysis of the Technology Strategy at the
University of Maryland
Project By:
Professor:
Course:
Mary John, Harsh Pandya, and
Bryon Baumstarck
Dr. Taverekere Srikantaiah
INFM732
Outline
• Organizational Overview
• Project Overview
• Methodology
• Summary of Findings
• SWOT Analysis
• Major Issues & Recommendations
• Conclusion
Organizational 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 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 (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.
Methodology
1. 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.
2. Website
In addition, we also conducted an analysis of publicly available information from the DIT
website.
http://www.it.umd.edu/
Summary of Findings
DIT 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 Analysis
STRENGTHS
WEAKNESSES
 Strong customer / consumer base.
 Lack of critical resource management.
 Builds custom software for better control.
 Not utilizing the latest software / hardware.
 Extensive audit process.
 Irregular SWOT analysis process.
 Provide wide range of services within the
 Lack of awareness among university
university.
community, mainly undergraduate students.
 Lack of funding / grant control.
OPPORTUNITIES
THREATS
 Better promotion of DIT services
 Other technical service providers.
 New technological developments.
 Economic instability.
 Expand the scope of business to the
 New and continuing data and system security
outside of the UMD perimeter
challenges.
 Changes to university leadership.
Major Issues
Recommendations
Change Management Process.
Change Management Process.
a) Very slow process.
a)
b) Use of Lifecycle mindset.
c) Assumption that everyone is informed.
Conduct more surveys for a better
understanding.
b)
d) Lack of communication Connection
Better mode of communication to the UMD
community.
Hierarchical Structure.
Hierarchical Structure.
a) Slow decision making process.
a)
Flatter team oriented structure.
b) Bureaucratically Hierarchical in nature.
b)
Better team leadership, reporting and
management.
c) Assumption that everyone is informed about
the latest happenings.
d) Changes by the new Leadership.
e) Limitations / control on fund/grants.
c)
Less micro management
d)
Encouragement to participate in the decision
making process.
Major Issues
Recommendations
Privacy & Security.
Privacy & Security.
a)
a) Incorporate a special team to test and
b)
Provide access to research tools to both
internal & external researchers.
validate new standards-based
Securing the privacy of sensitive
technologies.
personnel data.
b) Provide more "innovative and leadingedge computing services".
c) Utilizing of standards-based technologies.
Conclusion
 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.