Hefty Hardware Case Study

Computer Science

It Leadership At Hefty Hardware Case Study

Companies are made up of different departments with specified functions and responsibilities. For success, it is important to ensure that each of the departments works in collaboration with other departments and that their various functions are supported by the company's general approach and objectives. This appears to be the main confront with the Leadership at Hefty Hardware. The leadership of the IT department was unable to understand the needs of the business department critically and ensuring that they were incorporated into the various sub-departmental levels (McKeen & Smith, 2012).

An analysis of the case study reveals that there lacks effectiveness between IT and Business departments at Hefty Hardware. The first issue relates to the effectiveness of interdepartmental communication. The different departments lack relevant communication channels leading to the presence of a lot of dysfunction. The management further fails to develop an effective plan aimed at driving both IT and business strategy and consequently lacking a reliable information system strategy triangle (Harry & Schroeder, 2000).

As mentioned by both Cheryl and Glen, the IT department has failed in ensuring that the entire staff in that department fully comprehends each of their basic business functions. In such a case, IT personnel are unable to differentiate or relate between their technical work and business needs. This led to the loss of time resource since it took the IT department longer time to develop an effective technology and launch it in the field. In other cases, the IT department was unable to meet the expectations of the various business strategies. As far as the business department was concerned, the department also lacked effective collaboration and communication with the IT department as the business department failed to communicate their specific and concise requirements to the IT department. Instead, persons in the business department like Glen and Paul expected the people in the IT department to perform various cross-functional duties that were not designated to them (McKeen & Smith, 2012).

It is advantageous for competent technicians to meet with professionals from the business department, especially when the manager cannot communicate clearly and steer the meeting in the right direction. This will also be advantageous when explaining the importance of 3G and 4G or security in the meeting. However, a clear disconnect among the participants will be evident.

There is also some level of ineffectiveness in the part of the CIO as indicated by their constant transfers. This further reveals that the CIOs were either unable to see the importance of cooperating with the business department or were usually too technical. Although the failure in structure arises from IT department's weakness, the company's inability to involve both persons from the technical and business departments in managerial positions is attributed to shortcomings of the business enterprise. Practically, it is critical to ensure that the managers of each department are able to coordinate the internal operations of the department effectively. They must also collaborate with the other departments and the entire business in order to ensure that each task is aimed at accomplishing the high-level objectives of the enterprise (Harry & Schroeder, 2000).

However, it would be prudent to state in general that there lacks effectiveness in both departments. Jenny shows that she clearly understands the various needs of the business department and the functioning of the IT department. In fact, she has the capability of bridging the two departments. Furthermore, the case study reveals that Farzad can identify various shortcomings and show the willingness to make an effort of enhancing the relationship between the two departments (McKeen & Smith, 2012).

Question 2

As an initial step, the IT department should have the various personnel attend the field trip. The technical team would develop an understanding of the defined business needs and being able to appreciate on the overall operations of the company. However, in organizing the trip, Farzad should clearly communicate that this will have an overall impact on the timeline and release window. However, there is a positive approach to this subject in that by making the trip, and delaying the product release date, it would have the effect of enhancing the project and satisfying the needs of the business. Although this is bound to increase the overall cost, the positive side is that it could work in enhancing the already dented image of the IT department besides strengthening the relationship between the IT department and the business department (Harry & Schroeder, 2000).

Furthermore, since the company is already a market leader because of its in-store technology, changing the timeline will cause minimal negative impact on the company. However, preserving the status quo is highly detrimental to the company. The integrated information and infrastructure is irrelevant if the project cannot be practically realized (McKeen & Smith, 2012).