Information Resource Management - Essay Example

First Last Number 14 September Information Resource Management INTRODUCTION The prime objective of the study isto conduct a case analysis of a Chief Information Officer (CIO) by conducting an interview with the concerned person and thereby, gather information regarding Information Resource Management (IRM). The objective of the interview also includes the identification of the role of the selected CIO. In this regard, for developing an effective research output, an interview is conducted with the CIO of the United States Department of Defense, Mr. Terry Halvorsen. Moreover, the objective of the research also entails the construction of a research study that focuses on each aspect of the interview. Subsequently, the background information of the selected CIO is depicted. Besides, an analytical discussion of the interview result is revealed in the study. This is followed by a description of the results and findings through the analytical discussion of the interview contents. BACKGROUND INFORMATION OF THE CHIEF INFORMATIONAL OFFICER Terry Halvorsen is the acting Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the United States Department of Defense. He has been serving the nation in this position from May 21, 2014. At present, as the CIO of US Department of Defense, he is the “Principal Advisor to the Secretary of Defense for Information Management/Information Technology and Information Assurance as well as Non-Intelligence Space Systems, Navigation, and Timing Programs, Critical Satellite Communications, Spectrum and Telecommunications”1.Moreover, Terry Halvorsen also provides his valuable inputs in terms of strategies and guidance for the creation of Unified Information Management and Technology. He is also responsible for every possible Information Technology support to the department in its mission. He had previously served the nation as a CIO in the US Department of Navy. Moreover, prior to being the CIO in the US Department of Navy, Terry Halvorsen had been the Deputy Commander in Navy Cyber Forces. He had also entered in the Senior Executive Service as an Executive Director in 2004.Previous to this, Mr. Halvorsen entered in the Federal Civil Service as a Curriculum Instructional Standards Officer in 1985. In addition, over viewing the Academics of Mr. Halvorsen, it has been recognized that he graduated from Widener University with honors in history. He is also a military graduate and received the prestigious award of George C. Marshall in his college life. Mr. Halvorsen has won several prestigious awards in his lifetime. These include the Meritorious Civilian Service, Superior Civilian Service, Joint Meritorious Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and Meritorious Service Medal2. DISCUSSIONS ON THE INTERVIEW RESULT Policies undertaken by the IRM in the United States Department of Defense (DoD). According to Mr. Halvorsen, there are certain policies undertaken by the IRM in the US DoD that have been highly effective. These include the reduction of risk associated with human health and environment on account of the activities of the department. They also include maximum effectiveness and efficiency of Defense Environmental Restoration Program (DERP). Moreover, the CIO explained that the policies of DoD also encompass maximum transparency of DERP, participation and collaboration of public. Accordingly, the IRM also facilitates legal requirements, governing environment along with assisting in implementing guidance3. Roles of CIO in US DoD. There are several roles and responsibilities of CIO in US DoD that reflect the higher leadership and managerial skills. Subsequently, one of the decisive roles is to develop strategies and implement the same for protecting the Information Technology (IT) and Information System (IS) of the department. The CIO also has the key responsibilities related to Federal Information policy. Moreover, it also has the responsibility of national security with regard to IRM. It also has the responsibility of controlling and maintaining the DoD network operations effectively. Besides, the responsibilities of CIO also include providing adequate and appropriate policies, and guidance related to electromagnetic spectrum. Mr. Halvorsen also explained that the CIO is entrusted with the responsibility of managing of the records of DoD (Refer to Appendix). Furthermore, the CIO is also responsible for planning, budgeting, controlling of the activities of the department related to IRM4.Moreover, Mr. Halverson has also explained the fundamental managerial and leadership skill required by CIO. These include problem solving and decision making, planning, internal communications, delegation, and meeting management. Process and Change Management. According to Mr. Halvorsen (Refer to Appendix), the process and change management is very decisive component for the US DoD. The prime reason for the importance of change management is the uncertainty in the process of the department and also the higher risks that it bears. However, there are certain processes in the department. These include Joint Capability Integration and Development System, where the prime objective is that the armed forces receive the desired aids for the successful completion of a mission. It also includes Defense Acquisition System, where the major concern is to implement and execute technologies that lead to national security. Moreover, it also entails Systems Engineering, where the prime objective of the process is to progress one level of development to another level with regard to IRM. In addition, one of the six core processes also includes Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution. It also encompasses Portfolio Management, so that the development in IT is in parallel to the department’s goals, mission and vision. Last but not the least, it includes the operations, where the prime objective is to ensure desired routine process of the department5. Mode of Governance. According to Mr. Halvorsen (Refer to Appendix), the mode of governance by the CIO in US DoD is highly effective that facilitates the department to reach its objectives. The prime reason for effectiveness of governance by the CIO is the higher authority and power of the same as allocated by the government of the nation. Moreover, the CIO also has the support from the federal government of the nation that facilitates his governance effective in achieving the goal of the department. Besides, there are also certain legal supports that facilitate the CIO’s governance effective6. Information Resource Strategy and Planning. In accordance with Mr. Halvorsen (Refer to Appendix), the information resource strategy and planning is a significant aspect for the IRM in US DoD. Correspondingly, the department initially identifies the specific programs and initiatives that would suffice the need and the demand of the US DoD. Furthermore, the IRM attempts to align the support in parallel to the mission and vision of the US DoD. These plans are again reviewed considering the budget of the department7. Project and Program Management. According to Mr. Halvorsen (Refer to Appendix), the effective project and program management by the IRM is extremely decisive from the perspective of the effectiveness of the US DoD in providing national security. In this regard, for its effectiveness, the department has initiated effective acquisition of the IT process. Moreover, it has also initiated e-governance for its further effectiveness. Besides these, the department is also cautious of the project and program to be in alignment with the mission and vision of the organization8. Capital Planning and Investment Analysis. According to Mr. Halvorsen (Refer to Appendix), capital planning and investment analysis is also an important concern for the CIO in US DoD. In this regard, the CIO is concerned about the economy of the nation and the budget allocated by the government to the department. Moreover, the CIO also considers the return on investment on particular project. The CIO also undertakes capital planning and investment analysis on the basis of the priority of the projects910. Acquisition. According to Mr. Halvorsen (Refer to Appendix), acquisition is also an extremely important factor of the US DoD with regard to improvement of IRM. Subsequently, he informed that acquisition of IT and IS are performed in the department in order to improve its effectiveness. Moreover, acquisition is also important considering the minimization of risk associated in the process. He also pointed out that IT and IS acquisitions performed by the US DoD have not only improved the effectiveness and efficiency, but also it has led to the reduction of cost of the department11. E-Governance. According to Mr. Halvorsen (Refer to Appendix), US DoD has also implemented e-Governance for increasing the effectiveness of the organization. He contemplated that US DoD on account of implementing of such process of governance is observed to be more effective in directing as well as controlling the department. Moreover, he informed that the implementation of e-Governance within the department has also led to the increase in communication between the CIO and the other stakeholders of the department12. IT Security/Information Assurance. Mr. Halvorsen (Refer to Appendix) pointed out that the dimension of information security and assurance is also a key concern for the CIO of US DoD. In this regard, one of the most effective strategies that has been implemented by the department is the collaborative approach of working together with several universities of the nation. The collaborative approach with the universities is known as National Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance. This has been highly effective in creating IT professionals, whose sole objective is securing and assuring information across the nation. This has also been of significant benefit to the US DoD for attaining its mission and vision13. Enterprise Architecture and Emerging Technologies. According to Mr. Halvorsen (Refer to Appendix), the CIO of the US DoD also possesses the key responsibility to encourage architecture and emerging technologies development. In this regard, the CIO has undertaken strategies for enabling conceptual model and comprehensive framework, so that the development of technologies gradually takes place. Moreover, for the architecture department, the CIO has also implemented strategies for the visualization of the architectural data. Correspondingly, the CIO has implemented the DoD Architecture Framework version 2, which mainly focuses in the data rather than focusing in the products of the department14. Fundamentals for Effective Decision Making. With reference to Mr. Halvorsen (Refer to Appendix), there are certain key fundamentals of decision making within the US DoD as undertaken by the CIO. One of such essential fundamental understands the importance of the context or the decision. Subsequently, analysis of the benefits that would be derived from the decision is also important. Moreover, determining the objectives of the decisions is also an essential fundamental of decision making. Additionally, listing of all the options available and developing the criteria for decision making are also considered in decision making process of the department15. Relationship between the US DoD Process and the use of IT. According to Mr. Halvorsen (Refer to Appendix), there is a significant relationship between the process of US DoD and the IT process that it uses. He informed that because of the use of IT, the department has been able to ensure national security effectively in several occasions. The IT department of US DoD has not only protected the nation from the threats within the nation, but also from the threats outside the nation16. Value of the IS Discipline. According to Mr. Halvorsen (Refer to Appendix), Information System (IS) is of extreme importance in the present day context. This is of more value considering the increase in the global threat from terrorism. IS department is not only effective in fighting against terrorism but also equally effective in providing national security from environmental threats17. Strategy to Promote Improved Writing in the IS Field. According to Mr. Halvorsen (Refer to Appendix), there are certain strategies considered in the US DoD for promoting improved writing in the IS field. The most effective in this regard is the introduction of National Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance. This is the collaborative approach among the US DoD and the universities. The prime objective of the strategy is to increase the number of IT professionals in the field. Moreover, the strategy has led to the increase in the improved writing in the IS field18. RESULTS AND FINDINGS From the discussion of the interview conducted with the CIO of the US DoD, Mr. Terry Halvorsen, there are certain valuable results and findings that are observed. One of such is the highly effective policies and strategies by the department in obtaining its mission regarding the safety and security to the people of the nation. It also observed that the roles of the CIO are extremely important in obtaining the mission of the organization. Moreover, it is also observed that in order to obtain the mission of the department, the CIO also has a key role in adhering the effective process and change. The department has been highly effective in implementing of National Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance, where it uses the collaborative approach with the universities in the nation to generate excellent IT professionals. Moreover, with the excellent e-Governance, IT acquisitions, and capital planning and investment analysis under the leadership of the CIO, the department has been highly effective in obtaining its mission. Furthermore, it is also notable that with the emergence of architecture and technologies and through the appropriate application of the same the US DoD has been highly effective in attaining its mission. Besides these, one of the major findings in the study is the fundamentals of effective decision making. There are four fundamentals of effective decision making these include the context, objective, options, and criteria. These fundamentals applied by the department have been highly effective in obtaining its mission. Furthermore, it is also observed from the study that there is significant relation amid the US DoD and the IT department that it uses. Through the use of IT, the department has been highly effective in providing national security and safety. CONCLUSION From the overall study, it is asserted that the CIO of the US DoD has a key role in providing national security and safety effectively to its citizens. In this regard, it is also asserted that the Information Resource Management is extremely for the US DoD. This is crucial considering the increase in the threat from terrorism. It is also important to note that the strategies applied by the US DoD through the support from the CIO have been highly effective in combating terrorism in several occasions. This is not only effective within the nation, but also in the foreign land. Moreover, the technologies adapted by the department with regard to Information Resource Management are also highly effective. IRM not only supports the US DoD in combating terrorism but also protects from environmental stresses. The IRM support under the guidance of the CIO to the US DoD significantly protects the nation from several environmental stresses such as flood and earthquake among others. Thus, considering the benefits of IRM in the field of national security and safety, it is advisable that the government must provide wider importance to the same. In addition, it is also of extreme importance to the other nations of the world that these nations should also consider the importance of IRM and hence, implement the same effectively for generating a peaceful world. Works Cited Kendall, Frank. “Defense Environmental Restoration Program (DERP).” Department of Defense Instruction.4715 (2013): 2-4. Print. Simon, Jay, Eva Regnier, and Laura Whitney.“ A Value-Focused Approach to Energy Transformation in the United States Department of Defense.” Decision Analysis. 11. (2014): 117-132. Print. “Six Core Processes DoDAF Supports.” U.S. Department of Defense. 2014. Web. 08 Dec. 2014. “Information Assurance Scholarship Program.” U.S. Department of Defense. 2014. Web. 08 Dec. 2014. “Terry Halvorsen: Acting Chief Information Officer.” U.S. Department of Defense. 2014. Web. 08 Dec. 2014. Work, Robert O. “DoD Chief Information Officer (DoD CIO).”US Department of Defense.5144 (2014): 1-8. Print. APPENDIX INTERVIEW QUESTIONS 1. What are the policies undertaken by the Information Resources Management (IRM) in the United States Department of Defense? How effective are those? 2. What are your roles as a CIO in the United States Department of Defense? Also share about the Leadership and Managerial Skills required in this job profile. 3. What are the process and change management in the department? 4. What is the mode of governance in the department? How effective is it? 5. How Information Resource Strategy and Planning is done in the department? How effective are these? 6. How Project and Program Management is done in the department? How effective are these? 7. How Capital Planning and Investment Analysis are done in the department? How effective are these? 8. How IT Acquisition is done in the department? How effective is it? 9. How E-Governance is done in the department? How effective is it? 10. How IT Security / Information Assurance are done in the department? How effective is it? 11. What are the Enterprise Architecture and Emerging Technologies in the department? 12. What are the fundamentals needed within the department for effective decision making? 13. What is the relationship between the department’s process and the use of IT? 14. What is the value of the IS discipline as an attractive field of specialization? 15. Is there any strategy to promote improved writing in the IS field? Read More