Based on your adopted orgnaization(s), identify and discuss barriers in their IS/IT implementation ..(2000words)

BARRIERS in IT/IS

We are really aware that nowadays in a certain companies/organization are mostly using IS/IT. It is important in an organization considering that MIS involves hardware and software components and peopleware that is an effective method to achieve optimum efficiency, productivity and quality which eventually will capable of producing high-end products or reliable services. Similarly, group processes can be as straightforward or as complex as the individuals who make up the organization. It is vital to successfully launching a new program that the leaders understand the strengths, weaknesses, and idiosyncrasies of the organization or system in which they operate. Our adopted company was Lapanday Foods Corporation. Lapanday Foods Corporation is known today as one of the leading fresh produce growers and exporters in the Philippines; but years ago, its beginnings were planted in a small seed. In 1981 Lapanday hired 2 programmers as regular employees to develop IS using mainframe computer of Davao Light and Power. Cash flow is the 1st application that was developed. In 1982 Lapanday purchase 4 Apple computers and developed the Payroll system. In 1986 Lapanday purchased 4 IBM compatible desktops to replace the ageing Apple computers. Networking was also introduced using Banyan Vines software. In 1988 Lapanday shifted to Novell software for networking, and added several more desktops. In 1989 SVG assisted Lapanday in the implementation of the Computerized General Ledger System. In 2000 Lapanday started using barcode for Daily Time Record. In 2001 Lapanday applied barcoding system at the port. In 2003 Lapanday upgraded in-house system, and bought SAP ERP system, new servers and gensets. To centralized data processing, Lapanday installed leased-line connections to all major farms. In 2005 Lapanday installed IP-based CCTV camera in the Box Plant and Main Office, bought AutoCAD software for Engineering Design, used Trend as anti-virus/spam. In 2009 Lapanday install IP-based CCTV camera at the port. From that time on, there were changes in the features of office equipments, human resource, and management systems which lead risk in implementing Information System (IS) project to their company.

Below are risks they had enumerated:
1. Lack of top management commitment to the project
2. Failure to gain user commitment
3. Misunderstanding the requirements
4. Lack of adequate user involvement
5. Failure to manage end user expectations
6. Changing scope/ objections
7. Lack of required knowledge or skills in the project personnel
8. Introduction of new technology
9. Insufficient or inappropriate staffing
10. Conflict between user departments.

In every changes and development, there is also what we call barriers. Barrier simply means boundary or something that separates, in the business or rather corporate world, barriers are the hindrance to their business growth. It is an obstacle which prevents a given policy instrument being implemented, or limits the way in which it can be implemented. In the extreme, such barriers may lead to certain policy instruments being overlooked, and the resulting strategies being much less effective. According to MIS manager we interviewed, these are the following barriers:
Lack of feelings of "ownership" of a project or execution plans among key employees. - Key employees tend to depend so much on the IT group in the execution of the project. They feel that the project is owned by the IT and they are just participants.
People are not measured or rewarded for executing the plan. – The success of the project greatly depends on the people implementing it. To inspire them, they need to be recognized for a good job, Tying up incentive and reward systems to success is a better way of doing it.
Competing activities distracted attention from implementing this decision. – In implementing projects, focus is vital. Each member in the team including management has to be involved and maintain focus during the implementation processes.
Major problems surfaced which had not been identified earlier. – Project plans that were not thoroughly discussed/reviewed/analyzed will create more problems during implementation. To minimize them, more time and analysis on identification of problems in implementation has to be done. Likewise delineation of work and role clarification should be addressed.
Took more time than originally allocated. – Controllable and uncontrollable factors can influence the time table of the project. The team must develop and evaluate strategies and plans that will expedite implementation.
Training and instruction given to lower level employees were inadequate. – Lack of training creates problem during implementation. Errors will be created, man hours wasted, project timeline exceeded. To address this, staff employees should be provided the needed training & instructions during implementation phase. Likewise, they should have higher involvement in strategic planning inputs and feedback.
Insufficient financial resources to execute the strategy. – Money to fund the project should be readily available at all times.
Information systems used to monitor implementation were inadequate. – Each member of the team has to be regularly updated on the status of the project. There should be tracking and dissemination of information on implementation of major tasks and activities. A development of better information and communication systems and feedback mechanisms is needed. Employees need to be updated on implementation tasks.

It could be Financial and budget, Technical resource problems, Lack of IS/IT Awareness, Trainings of the Employees, and Security.
Financial and budget:
The very main problem we all know in management is the budget. In the real world, we can say that all business is rolled by the money. To have a small business, one needs capital to go with it. Just like in a well grown business, even though it was successful, changing in technology is what the company should have to consider especially in the company that has something to do with the software and hardware. It includes need for funds for processing, printing and dissemination of information so that everything is flowing through and through and just go with the flow.

Technical Resource Problems:
Technical resource is one of the major problems encountered by some personnel within the system. It has the need for modern information systems, difficulties in setting up information programmed, have problems in data processing, technical constraints to reproducing or copying documents, decoding statistics collected and the structure of statistical reporting, time factor in the collection and updating of information, need for qualitative aspects of information. In creating certain system, the very most difficult is the data collection and especially management. It is because it has something to do with the system. It is where you can examine and evaluate data collected that will help make a deep and not regrettable decision for each company. Data processing takes a long time to process for it requires a step by step formula to make it effective and can satisfy the needs of end-users.

Lack of IS/IT Awareness:
It would not be good to the company if the management is not aware of IS/IT because of the fact that the management are the ones who are in charge of giving the decisions regarding implementations. If they are not aware of their Information System (IS)/ Information Technology (IT), the effect is that the management would most likely weaken or abandon initiatives or proposals regarding IS/IT. They would rather think that it is luxurious and would give that proposal a low priority and eventually replace that proposal with something that is not even good enough rather than looking at the other side of things which is the benefit or benefits of IS/IT. For example, if you are proposing advancement in the said company then the management is not aware of IT/IS, there could be a least chance that your proposal would be approved.

Trainings of the Employees
Training exerts time and effort. According to the article I’ve read in the internet noted that”it's easier to build a new technology than it is to get people to use it”. Proper educating of the employees on how to implement the new system is very important.

Security:
One of the most important things is security. In an organization definitely it contains some precious informati[/size]on resources and must have a good security against hackers, frauds, tricksters, saboteurs, and thieves.

MORE BARRIERS TO CHANGE

 Studying the problem too long without acting
 Trying to get everyone's agreement first
 Educating without changing structures or expectations
 Lack of such resources as time and commitment
 Resistance to change
 Lack of senior leadership support or physician champion
 Lack of cooperation from other agencies, providers, departments, and facilities
 Ineffective teams
 Burdensome data collection
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