1. Which question helps firms identify which IT systems will provide a strategic advantage?
Answer: C
Has IT been aligned with business goals?
Identifying whether IT has been aligned with business goals is crucial for firms to determine which IT systems can provide a strategic advantage. This alignment ensures that IT investments support and enhance the overarching objectives of the organization.
A) Are employees trained to identify strategic IT opportunities?
While employee training is important for leveraging IT systems, simply having trained employees does not guarantee that the IT systems themselves are strategically advantageous. This option focuses on personnel capabilities rather than the alignment of IT with business objectives.
B) Is the IT system capable of making product changes?
The capability of an IT system to make product changes is relevant, but it does not directly address the strategic alignment with business goals. A system may be capable of changes without being strategically beneficial to the organization’s overall direction.
C) Has IT been aligned with business goals?
This option directly addresses the core concern of identifying IT systems that provide strategic advantages. When IT is aligned with business goals, it maximizes the potential for strategic initiatives, ensuring that technology supports the firm's objectives effectively.
D) Which employees are trained in a specific IT system?
Knowing which employees are trained in a specific IT system does not inherently reveal whether that system is strategically advantageous. This option focuses on individual qualifications rather than the broader strategic alignment of IT within the organization.
Conclusion
The correct answer, "Has IT been aligned with business goals?", is definitive in helping firms identify IT systems that offer strategic advantages. Other options either focus on employee training or system capabilities without addressing the critical aspect of alignment with business objectives. Therefore, understanding this alignment is essential for leveraging IT in a way that supports the firm’s strategic initiatives.