Consultant Case Study

Read Case Study IV-3 entitled “IT Infrastructure Outsourcing at Schaeffer (A): The Outsourcing Decision” on pages 628-633 in your textbook, Managing Information Technology.

Prepare a paper addressing the following:

What benefits does Schaffer hope to achieve from outsourcing its IT infrastructure?

Describe the steps taken to develop the RFP and the role that an outside consultant played in this process.

What are the perceived disadvantages to outsourcing raised by its managers?

Some managers suggested a third alternative: Outsource the IT infrastructure for the Reitzel division only. Which alternative do you think Schaeffer should choose, and why?

Why do you think so many disadvantages were raised after the task force recommendation had been developed? How could this controversy have been avoided?

Your final paper should be 12 pages in length (not including the cover and reference pages in your page count). The project should follow APA style guidelines, citing references as appropriate. It should contain concepts from the course reading materials and textbook, reflect your insight and analysis of the course materials, and use external information, providing an original and thoughtful presentation. Be sure to cite and integrate at least three credible, academic sources.

add more depth as the material relates to the future trends.

References should be at least 5 plus below four references:

Brown, C. V., DeHayes, D. W., Hoffer, J. A., Martin, W. W., & Perkins, W. C. (2012). Managing information technology (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall. ISBN-13: 9780132146326

Austin, R. D., Nolan, R. L., & O’Donnell, S. (2009). The adventures of an IT leader. Boston, MA: Harvard Business Press. ISBN-13: 9781422146606

Bendor-Samuel, P. (2017). Cost reduction and new tech capabilities aren’t the goals for a performance breakthrough.

Greengard, S. (2013). Continuous IT cost optimization takes center stage.