Page 465 - Using MIS

Q2 How Do Organizations Plan the Use of IS? 433

Knowledge, Skill, and United States 2013
Characteristics Salary
Title Responsibilities Requirements Range (USD)
Salesperson Sell software, network, Quick learner, knowledge of $65,000–$200,000+
communications, and consulting product, superb professional
services. sales skills.
Small-scale Initiate, plan, manage, monitor, Management and people skills, $75,000–$150,000
project manager and close down projects. technology knowledge.
Highly organized.
Large-scale Initiate, plan, monitor, and close Executive and management $150,000–$250,000+
project manager down complex projects. skills. Deep project management
knowledge.
Database Manage and protect database. Diplomatic skills, database $75,000–$250,000
administrator technology knowledge.
Chief technology Advise CIO, executive group, and Quick learner, good $125,000–$300,000+
officer (CTO) project managers on emerging communications skills, business
technologies. background, deep knowledge of IT.
Chief information Manage IT department, Superb management skills, deep $150,000–$500,000, plus
officer (CIO) communicate with executive knowledge of business and executive benefits and
staff on IT- and IS-related matters. technology, and good business privileges.
Member of the executive group. judgment. Good communicator.
Balanced and unflappable.

Chief information Manage IS security program, Deep knowledge of security $100,000–$300,000+
security protect the organization’s threats, protections, and emerging
officer (CISO) information systems and security threat trends. Excellent
information, manage IS security communication and diplomacy
personnel. skills. Good manager.

Figure 11-2
Continued
Many of the positions in Figure 11-2 have a wide salary range. Lower salaries are for profes-
sionals with limited experience or for those who work in smaller companies or on small proj-
ects. The higher salaries are for those with deep knowledge and experience who work for large
companies on large projects. Do not expect to begin your career at the high end of these ranges.
As noted, all salaries are for positions in the United States and are shown in U.S. dollars.
(By the way, for all but the most technical positions, knowledge of a business specialty can
add to your marketability. If you have the time, a dual major can be an excellent choice. Popular
and successful dual majors are accounting and information systems, marketing and informa-
tion systems, and management and information systems.)

Q2 How Do Organizations Plan the Use of IS?

We begin our discussion of IS functions with planning. Figure 11-3 lists the major IS planning
functions.

Align Information Systems with Organizational Strategy

The purpose of an information system is to help the organization accomplish its goals and
objectives. In order to do so, all information systems must be aligned with the organization’s
competitive strategy.
Recall the four competitive strategies from Chapter 3. The first two strategies are that an
organization can be a cost leader either across an industry or within an industry segment.
Alternatively, for the second two strategies, an organization can differentiate its products or