Implementing a global IT Infrastructure policy through projects - A study of policy realisation at SCA

Abstract

This Thesis was realised during the spring of 2005 as a Case Study at T&I Service at Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget (SCA). The focus of our study was a centralisation initiative within three business groups. This demanded a compulsory common IT Infrastructure Policy. The implementation was executed through projects and the thesis purpose was to investigate how a global company implements an IT Infrastructure policy through projects. Through extensive interviews with key persons we gathered the empirical data needed to analyse the problem statement. Our findings show that to succeed with a policy implementation it is vital that mid‐level management know what they are supposed to do and makes sure the process is carried out. Communication concerning the goal and how to reach it are vital, and somewhat insufficient in SCAs case. By applying Corporate Performance Management the organisation brings together the business groups and secures that the organisation follows a common strategy and are better able to communicate and drive strategy down throughout the organisation which enables people to act and make decisions that support the strategic goals. The projects have been successful, even though we found them to be deficient in areas such as: internal communication, measurements and documentation. These areas should be improved to facilitate future projects and enhance the organisations maturity in developing best practices.