iLLuMiNaTa - The Enlighten One's

Based on your adopted organization(s), identify and discuss barriers in their IS/IT implementation.

Whew! 2000 words for this assignment and I find it quite difficult to find related articles in the internet to. According to the instruction above the input must be from our adopted company however to make my points clearer and to make this article more interesting and reliable I also include my research understanding via the internet regarding this topic. Let’s start the discussion of the said matter.

There are many identified barriers in the Information System or Information Technology implementation in an organization. For what I have read in some articles over the internet, I will categorized in into five (5) divisions in which I think the most important factors, these are the (1) Financial Problems, (2) Physical Problems, (3) Technical Problems, (4) Organizational Problems and (5) Social Problems.

As an elaboration of the division of the obstacle identified in the implementation of Information System, the following are the lists of more specific problems in each category.

1. Financial Problems
This should be considered in implementing an Information System in an organization. For this determined the resources needed in the processes, development and maintenance of an efficient system. If we have limited resources we may encounter insufficiency of funds to put into action the desired solution. This includes hardware replacement, software updates and maintenance and as well as funds for the specialized skills training for the company’s staff. With this, we can also determine if we can maximize the usage of Information System within the organization according to the company’s need and its users.
In the side of the investors, they may be hesitant to spend money for this project for will be very costly and requires ample time to complete the system yet the results or outcome is unsure. What I can say to the investors in this matter, if we want a changes or development we must take the risk, for business is a gamble, just makes sure that you have all the weapons not to lose in the game.

2. Physical Problems
When we are talking of the physical aspects of Information System we are pertaining to the hardware, software and network topology. Thus, this may involve redesigning the network, hardware replacement in order to have more improve speed and efficiency and as well as the determining the most appropriate software to used.

3. Technical Problems

Infrastructure. It is the very important framework of any information organization. Effective Information access and use depends on communication facilities such as telephones, Internet, fax, computers, as well as an adequate supply of electricity. Computer literacy is almost non-existent in primary and secondary education. It is very much limited in colleges and universities due to shortage of skilled human resources and computing infrastructure.

Lack of a shared, reliable computing and network infrastructure. When an institution lacks an IT infrastructure there will be a difficulty in operating technology supported programs with consistency from one office to the other or building to building. It also slows and complicates communication among the organization or other institutions

Unrealistic time frames. Some information systems take considerably longer than originally planned. Time delays lead to serious difficulties in planning for and adjusting to changes in operations. Since they consume more time than they expected, the deadline will become a pressure.

Difficulty of data collection and management. Data collection is considered to be the most critical and difficult part of implementing an Information System for it is the foundation of the entire system process. Thus, this convey what the system is all about, its scope and limitations. Proper management of the said data is essential.

4. Organizational Problems
The organization heads set too ambitious goals that require a lot of resources that may not be able to achieve. I suggest that in making the goals of the company they should focus on what are the necessities or focus on the needs of the organization that it must meet the business requirements of the party and it should be brief and accurate.

Unskilled Staff
As mention above, system must be maintained and monitor from time to time and the people who will handle this transaction must be well trained and have an expertise on maintaining the system. Not having this kind of people inside the organization will add up to the barriers to the success of the system.

5. Social Problems

. The resistance of the organization and its people to the technology is also a factor that I consider as one of the obstacle.

Human resources as the participants to the implementation of Information System should be able to meet or abide the requirements or standards of the company’s specific IS. In planning as well as in the development of the said system, the human resources should participate hand in hand in the process. We can consider the human resources as one of the Information System barriers with regards to its implementation for they are the one who gives the specifications, requirements and standards that help to develop the functionalities of the company. These people are also the one who will utilize, manage and control to be able to acquire the benefits of technology.

Communication is another factor that adds up to the impediments of technology. As what I mentioned above, every participant in the implementation must work together to make sure the success of the desired output is not impossible to attain. Without this there is no guarantee that the system will be a help to the organization or maybe it will just be add to its liabilities. Instead of gaining from what they have invested, they are more likely to lose or worsen the company’s situation.


Resources:
http://www.unesco.org/education/educprog/erd/english/wgesa/doc/ethiopia/appendice_2.htm
http://www.unm.edu/~jreenen/dlbook/chapter9.html