Analyzing Digital Strategy, Risk Assessment, and Big Data Use of an Organization

Understanding the Organization

Re-read the case study. Think strategically about:

• the sorts of processes, the data and information, and the technologies that are needed/used for those processes;
• the risks that the organisation faces, and its vulnerabilities, e.g., existing technological developments, competitive marketplace;
• the data, information and business intelligence used to enable value and to generate value in order to fulfil its purpose;
• any transformations that have recently occurred within the organisation;
• any thing else you think pertinent.

Once you think you have a good understanding of this organisation as described in the case study, use that information as a starting point to respond to the questions below.

For the report, imagine you have been asked to provide expert advice  and all that you know about the issue with respect to this organisation is what is contained in the case study. Do the following:

1.Identify and briefly describe what is known about the issue

2.Think critically about the issue, noting what information is still unknown (and why it is important); this could be posed as a set of questions that one would ask the organisation, for example.

3.What recommendations would you make with respect to the issue thinking of how the organisation could enhance its value;

4.Assess the current status (as identified in the case) and make a set of recommendations based on your own analysis

Select any ONE of the following issues and respond to the questions above. See a set of starting points for research at the end of this page:

• Assess the digital strategy used by this organisation to meet its goals. 

• Develop a risk assessment of potential and current data protection and cybersecurity issues.

• Examine how the organisation makes use of 'big data' and how it might improve on that use.

• Identify potential future digital disruptions for the organisation and how it should be managed.

• Consider any digital transformations that could be value added for this organisaton.

Think critically and analytically, and please be creative. This is not just about being descriptive and extracting stuff from the case or class notes. Think also about what you know from reading the document and what you do not know and thus need to research. The research may involve consulting any readily available sources of information in the academic or professional worlds.

While your expert opinion is valued here, this is an academic report where evidence trumps opinion. If a point you want to make is a known fact, OK. But if the point you want to make is a supposition or your personal opinion, then you will need to find support for it. For example, if you wish to make a recommendation, how do you know its a good one? This may come from research, and it may come from best practice.

Choose your evidence wisely. Do not be afraid of challenging the author of the case, especially if you find contradicting evidence to support a different view. Of course, the facts in the case were out of date on the day that it was published. This is not just about assessing this case; it is very much about what happens after this case.