A new IT infrastructure for Dow Chemical

http://www.cio.com/archive/110198_change.html

Within the course of three years, Dow Chemical Co. shifted virtually every aspect of its IS department: organization, jobs, technology and processes. The goal was to make Dow a leaner, meaner, more savvy global competitor; to do that meant leaving behind some of the old ways in which Dow traditionally conducted business.

Questions:

1. Summarize the changes that occurred in Dow's IT infrastructure.

2. Explain how or whether these changes seemed linked to Dow's strategy.

3. Identify some of the major issues that had to be dealt with during the changes in organization, job definition, technology, and processes.

4. The end of the article talks about the degree to which the changes evolved on the basis of consensus. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of seeking consensus in this type of situation and explain how these advantages and disadvantages played out in this particular situation.

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