Assessing IT Governance Maturity: The Case of San Marcos, Texas
Date
2010-10
Authors
Wood, David J.
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Abstract
Purpose: Information Technology fundamentally changes how people interact. Cities are no different. Cities, as all organizations, interweave Information Technology into every process to provide services. This widespread use of technology requires cities to assess IT governance maturity to ensure good organizational practices and IT alignment with organizational goals and objectives. Cities can improve practices and IT alignment by assessing IT governance and creating benchmarks for future performance. This research assesses the IT governance maturity of the city of San Marcos, Texas and provides recommendations to improve IT governance.
Procedure:This research follows a case study design in assessing the IT governance maturity of the city of San Marcos. The research is based on the widely used COBIT IT Governance Framework. The case study uses only nine of the thirty four COBIT objectives as a modified framework to assess IT governance maturity. The research uses structured interviews conducted with members of the San Marcos Information Technology Department. The research also relies on relevant documentation collected and analyzed through document analysis.
Results: The results demonstrate that the city of San Marcos has many practices in place that meet maturity requirements for the IT governance framework. Though the city of San Marcos has not created or adopted an IT governance framework, many of the processes in place match practices outlined in COBIT IT Governance Framework objectives. The city of San Marcos can better utilize IT resources by improving IT governance as the city continues to grow and prosper.
Description
An Applied Research Project Submitted to the Department of Political Science, Texas State University-San Marcos, in Partial Fulfillment for the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Public Administration, Spring 2011.
Keywords
information technology, maturity, COBIT, IT governance, assessment, Public Administration
Citation
Wood, D. J. (2010). Assessing IT governance maturity: The case of San Marcos, Texas. Masters of Public Administration, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.