Deck 6: Creating and Evolving a Technology Roadmap

Question 1

The results of a gap analysis can be articulated to explain key factors and decisions that would impact technology and have a bearing on the technology roadmap.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

IT strategic plans must also entertain external factors such as industry trends, the competitive landscape, and vendor strategies and offerings.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

New technologies require learning and change.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

The gap analysis, conducted as part of a technology roadmap implementation, is basically an IT inventory.

Question 5

External benefits of a technology road map attribute to IT directly and result in IT efficiency.

Question 6

When an organization implements a technology roadmap, IT investments are better focused which leads to enhanced business results.

Question 7

The process of developing a technology roadmap hinges on a gap analysis to assess the extent to which the current state of technology supports the current and forecasted needs of the business.

Question 8

Technology road maps allow technologies to be mapped onto a life cycle, creating an orderly evolution for each technology, which creates business and IT synergies.

Question 9

When assessing the current use of technology while implementing a technology road map, the first task is to develop a classification scheme to assist in managing the IT inventory.

Question 10

The most critical activity of creating a technology road map is the formulation of guiding principles which is an analysis between the technology that is currently available and that which is required.

Question 11

The current technology analysis ties the technology roadmap directly to the business and is perhaps the most crucial step in developing an effective plan.

Question 12

A technology roadmap cannot be reactive.

Question 13

When conducting a gap analysis as part of a technology roadmap implementation, the first step is to identify the required technology.

Question 14

In the past, companies have followed a number of different technology paths that have not always led to the significant paybacks despite conscientious effort.

Question 15

A gap analysis is a statement about the type of technology support to be delivered to the business.

Question 16

The complete development of a technology roadmap is an initiative of the IT department.

Question 17

A technology roadmap is a mechanism for the identification, justification, planned evolution, and orchestration of technologies to enhance business performance.

Question 18

The degree of integration and interoperability is first and foremost a business decision.

Question 19

In addition to establishing the role and purpose for the technology roadmap, it is important to outline its goals.

Question 20

Internal benefits of a technology roadmap align IT with the business and result in IT effectiveness.

Question 21

As important as the logic behind the roadmap are ________ built into the technology roadmap.

A) the assumptions
B) the technologies
C) the architectures
D) the standards
E) All the above

Question 22

Which level of IT architecture governance sets the overall architecture direction and strategy and ensure alignment with business objectives?

A) Operational
B) Strategic
C) Tactical
D) Managerial
E) Both A and B

Question 23

Which level of IT architecture governance includes analysts and managers that work across lines of business as well as within lines of business with responsibility for the execution of the strategy?

A) Operational
B) Strategic
C) Tactical
D) Managerial
E) Both A and B

Question 24

The following can be considered examples of guiding principles for technology road map development EXCEPT:

A) establishing investment boundaries.
B) outlining the role of technology for the organization.
C) reinforcing the role of standards.
D) lowering the cost of development and maintenance.
E) establishing expectations.

Question 25

A good way to insulate applications from being affected by changes in other applications is through:

A) malware.
B) middleware.
C) custom software.
D) commercial software.

Question 26

The ________ ties the technology roadmap directly to the business and is perhaps the most crucial step in developing an effective plan.

A) current technology analysis
B) gap analysis
C) domain classification
D) technology framework
E) inventory classification

Question 27

When hardware and software deployed in the IT infrastructure adhere to open industry standards, this is an example of:

A) establishing investment boundaries.
B) outlining the role of technology for the organization.
C) reinforcing the role of standards.
D) lowering the cost of development and maintenance.
E) establishing expectations.

Question 28

Which of the following benefits of a technology road map results in a comparison of the business plan with the current technological environment to identify gaps and addresses these gaps to allow business goals to be supported by technology?

A) Lowering the cost of development and maintenance.
B) Reducing difficulties associated with deployment of new technologies.
C) Preserving investments in new and existing systems.
D) Achieving business goals.
E) Focusing investment dollars.

Question 29

When investment in technology occurs a rate necessary to sustain business growth, this is an example of:

A) establishing investment boundaries.
B) outlining the role of technology for the organization.
C) reinforcing the role of standards.
D) lowering the cost of development and maintenance.
E) establishing expectations.

Question 30

________ must also entertain external factors such as industry trends, the competitive landscape, and vendor strategies and offerings.

A) IT strategic plans
B) Technology road maps
C) Operations and infrastructure support
D) IT governance
E) All of the above

Question 31

When assessing the current use of technology while implementing a technology road map, the first task is:

A) to develop a classification scheme to assist in managing the IT inventory.
B) to assign a technology custodian/owner so someone within the firm is responsible for each technology domain.
C) to implement technology upgrades for existing systems.
D) to choose new vendors to help create specifications for existing systems.
E) Both B and C.

Question 32

Which of the following benefits of a technology roadmap facilitates the end-to-end integration of reusable components and applications?

A) Lowering the cost of development and maintenance
B) Consolidating global solutions
C) Ability to move forward in planned phases
D) Building a consistent and cohesive technology base
E) Providing a common design point

Question 33

With a technology inventory in place, organizations can then perform a ________ between the technology that is currently available and that which is required.

A) technology analysis
B) domain classification
C) gap analysis
D) strategic analysis

Question 34

External benefits of implementing a technology road map relate to aligning IT with the business, result in IT effectiveness, and include the following EXCEPT:

A) Lowering the cost of development and maintenance
B) Reducing difficulties associated with deployment of new technologies
C) Preserving investments in new and existing systems
D) Achieving business goals
E) Focusing investment dollars

Question 35

One of the key tools in managing the technology inventory is a/an ________ to classify technologies.

A) framework
B) gap analysis
C) inventory classification
D) domain classification

Question 36

Which level of IT architecture governance sets standards and approves deviations from standards and monitors the overall attainment of the goals as articulated within the technology roadmap?

A) Operational
B) Strategic
C) Tactical
D) Managerial
E) Both A and B

Question 37

Which of the following benefits of a technology roadmap allows technologies to be mapped onto a life cycle and create an orderly evolution for each technology?

A) Lowering the cost of development and maintenance
B) Consolidating global solutions
C) Ability to move forward in planned phases
D) Building a consistent and cohesive technology base
E) Providing a common design point

Question 38

Which level of IT architecture governance is involved with the creation of organizational technology roadmaps?

A) Operational
B) Strategic
C) Tactical
D) Both A and C
E) Both B and C

Question 39

A major part of governance is:

A) enforcement.
B) observation.
C) tactical management.
D) operations management.

Question 40

When IT service levels and systems availability are clearly outlined for all production systems in an organization, this is an example of:

A) establishing investment boundaries.
B) outlining the role of technology for the organization.
C) reinforcing the role of standards.
D) lowering the cost of development and maintenance.
E) establishing expectations.

Question 41

List and describe (3) external benefits of implementing a technology road map.

Question 42

Why do companies often follow several different technology paths that do not always led to significant paybacks despite a conscientious effort to obtain a return of their investment?

Question 43

What are the elements of a technology road map?

Question 44

List and describe (3) internal benefits of implementing a technology road map.

Question 45

What is the purpose of a technology roadmap? What the (2) main objectives when creating a technology road map for an organization?

Question 46

How does a technology road map lower the cost of systems development and maintenance?

Question 47

What is a technology road map?

Question 48

Why do companies need a technology roadmap?

Question 49

List and describe the two distinct levels of IT architecture governance involved with the creation of organizational technology roadmaps.

Question 50

When constructing a technology roadmap, what are (3) common recommendations most consultants would make to management?