Amazon’s Ubiquitous Alexa
Amazon envisions its smart device Alexa everywhere as voice-controlled technology makes things easier and more convenient. Steve Rabuchin, vice president of Amazon Alexa, explains “Amazon’s plans for Alexa are more widespread than any device category or the constraints of Amazon’s own hardware aspirations.” Amazon’s plans for Alexa include everything from light switches to automobiles and household appliances.
Our View: Companies are approving more projects than they can deliver. Most organizations say they have too many projects on the go and an unmanageable and ever-growing backlog of things to get to. Portfolio management practices must find a way to accommodate stakeholder needs without sacrificing the portfolio to low-value initiatives that do not align with business goals. Silence squeaky wheels and overbearing stakeholders by establishing a progressive approval and prioritization process that gives primacy to the highest value requests using our research, Optimize Project Intake, Approval, and Prioritization.
The Growing Project Portfolio Management Market
From 2017-2021, the worldwide project portfolio management (PPM) software market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.34%. Key companies in this global market are Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, Microsoft, Oracle, and SAP. PPM software helps firms visualize a project’s financial information and efforts and can help speed up project delivery.
Our View: You need a PPM tool that promotes the maintenance and flow of good data to help your organization succeed. However, while throwing expensive technology at bad process rarely works, many organizations take this approach to solve their PPM problems. Your choice of PPM solution must be in tune with your organizational PPM maturity to ensure that you are prepared to sustain the tool use without having the corresponding PPM processes collapse. Think outside the commercial box. Develop an affordable, adoptable, and effective PPM solution using our research, Grow Your Own PPM Solution.
BlackBerry’s Shift to Software
BlackBerry is shifting its focus from hardware to security, software, and automotive operating systems. Already BlackBerry is inside 250 auto makers, and 50% of the market for “infotainment” is BlackBerry. Their COO Marty Beard believes the strategic business decisions behind the shift make them well positioned to grow their software.
Our View: Articulating a clear IT strategy that aligns IT with business objectives is the most important activity a CIO can do for the IT department and organization. IT leaders can add invaluable insights in the process of making strategic business decisions, but the business does not always view IT as a strategic partner. Define an IT Strategy and Roadmap to develop a data-driven, fit-for-purpose plan with a strong link to execution.
The Lift: Record-Breaking Architecture
Seoul’s skyline has been transformed with a tower that was completed in April after six years of construction. Named the Lotte World Tower, it is the fifth highest tower in the world and the tallest in South Korea. It breaks the record for the highest glass-bottom observatory as well as the world’s tallest and fastest double-decker elevator.
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