Before you can set a direction for the future, you need to understand what you have today and which parts and pieces are suitable to support your objectives. During this activity, you will compile an inventory of types of technology currently in use by the enterprise and evaluate how well these technologies can support the business in the future.

• Use Info-Tech's "Infrastructure Components" tool as a starting point for compiling information on your current computing and networking technologies. Organizations looking for a more graphical way of representing the network can use Info-Tech's advanced tools, "Network Diagram Primer" and "Network Diagram Template," to see examples of how other companies represent their telecommunications technologies in a highly visual way.

Once an inventory is complete, the search for gaps begins. A technical infrastructure gap can be a weakness or hole in your computing and networking platforms. Use Info-Tech's "Infrastructure Assessment" tool to help gauge the quality and suitability of your computing and networking platforms and to identify existing gaps.

This step forms the basis for evaluating IT priorities and tradeoffs. Prioritize infrastructure changes using the "Infrastructure Prioritization" tool provided.

• Based on your infrastructure direction documented above, you will want to begin documenting what will be required, what the expected outcomes will be and what benefits the corporation will receive as a result. Use Info-Tech's advanced "Infrastructure Improvement Opportunity" template for this activity. Once completed, these opportunity descriptions will be key to weighing all the options and investments available to you.

Before you can set a direction for the future, you need to understand what you have today and which parts and pieces are suitable to support your objectives. During this activity, you will compile an inventory of types of technology currently in use by the enterprise and evaluate how well these technologies can support the business in the future.

• Use Info-Tech's "Infrastructure Components" tool as a starting point for compiling information on your current computing and networking technologies. Organizations looking for a more graphical way of representing the network can use Info-Tech's advanced tools, "Network Diagram Primer" and "Network Diagram Template," to see examples of how other companies represent their telecommunications technologies in a highly visual way.

Once an inventory is complete, the search for gaps begins. A technical infrastructure gap can be a weakness or hole in your computing and networking platforms. Use Info-Tech's "Infrastructure Assessment" tool to help gauge the quality and suitability of your computing and networking platforms and to identify existing gaps.

At this stage in development of your IT strategy, technical infrastructure direction typically involves identifying components of the computing or networking platform that will need to be added or replaced during the life of the strategy. This does not mean that you need a detailed evaluation of products or options, rather you should identify which technical components:

• Are strategic and suitable for the long term.
• Are obsolete and will need to be upgraded or replaced.
• Must be added to address a strategic corporate initiative.

Documenting the disposition can be as simple as creating a list or updating the IT Infrastructure Components tool from Step 1.1. For more complex technical environments, use Info-Tech's advanced tool, "Technology Direction."

This step forms the basis for evaluating IT priorities and tradeoffs. Prioritize infrastructure changes using the "Infrastructure Prioritization" tool provided.

• Based on your infrastructure direction documented above, you will want to begin documenting what will be required, what the expected outcomes will be and what benefits the corporation will receive as a result. Use Info-Tech's advanced "Infrastructure Improvement Opportunity" template for this activity. Once completed, these opportunity descriptions will be key to weighing all the options and investments available to you.