Agenda - 11-08-2012 - 7b - Laserfiche WebLink

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42 Conclusion The Orange County Strategic Information Technology Plan provides a framework for the effective management of Information Technology. It offers a customer-focused approach to implementing and managing IT and uses employee suggestions to provide a roadmap for future technology efforts. The plan also includes a comprehensive view of County accomplishments over the past decade, as well as examines the current state of technology in Orange County and its peer local governments. Information Technology can be used to provide higher quality services in a more cost efficient manner by providing improved service access, reduced transaction costs, and improved internal efficiencies. As the County strives to be more customer-oriented and to provide effective services, technology investments become essential. Despite the potential impact of technology, it is critical to understand that the application of technology to poor or inefficient processes will not produce the requisite cost savings or effectiveness gains. Technology is a tool used to improve customer service but the administration, policies, and procedures surrounding a given function or process must be revised and fine-tuned in order to provide the highest quality of service. As a result of this necessary coupling between technology and business process, it is imperative that all technology projects and investments are tightly integrated with and continually measured against the Orange County's articulated business goals and vision. Project Prioritization The aforementioned projects and solutions are offered for consideration by the County. The projects noted are largely enterprise in nature and are not comprehensive of all requests made by Commissioners or departmental staff. The appendices contain the specific requests collected during the interview process for reference and use by the IT Governance Council. As part of continuous improvement around engagement and communication with County staff, the IT Department and County Management will work with the IT Governance Council to verify prioritization of the suggested projects. In addition, after prioritization is confirmed, cost estimates will be generated for projects within the prioritization framework by the IT department. Prior to undertaking the projects requested, it is imperative that additional IT staff are hired in order to facilitate successful delivery of all prioritized projects. If staff increases are not appropriated, then the projects should be evaluated against the current requirements of on-going maintenance and support of the existing infrastructure to determine which efforts are feasible and to establish timelines which are reasonable and reflective of the over-committed, under-resourced IT department. Investment Strategies Although technology investment is necessary as a means of maintaining efficient and effective services, as well as competing in the local government marketplace, several steps can be taken to 40