Looking back, I was first being taught the concept of
“Alignment” in 1994 when I read the book, “Practical
Steps for Aligning Information Technology with Business Strategies”,
authored by Bernard Boar of AT&T, Bell Laboratories, when I was working in
Singapore. This book is now on my bookshelf together with my other books which
have since then I have been reading many related literatures, and gradually
building an applicable body of knowledge.
Around 2003, I learned about a new philosophy known as
Structurational Theory, which emerged to be an applied research methodology to
the effects of information systems deployment in the context of social
eco-lifecycle. Structurational theory advocates the phenomenon of an
information systems deployment initiative could be assessed and predicted by
way of taking into the dualism interaction of actor and structure. In other
words, structure is a medium of activities of actor as well as the results of
those activities. The words “Shape and Reshape” are widely and repeatedly used
in the literatures of Structurational theory to explain cylinder view of the
inherent endless of co-dependent relationship between actor and structure.
On another note, I have been running my own software
development and implementation company known as Softegic Systems Management Sdn Bhd since
1999 after being employed for 8 years in Malaysia and Singapore. I incorporated
another company, Lincoln ICT Disputes
Management Sdn Bhd, in 2010 to promote the use of arbitration and/or
mediation as a preferred mode of software-related disputes resolutions, as well
as encourage disputants to use expert witness in software-related litigation
and arbitral proceedings which could give rise to highly complex issues. The
journey of technopreneurship is full of obstacles and barriers; it is an
adventurous voyage which requires a strong spirit and courage along an odyssey!
Hence, I name my blog space as “ALIGNMENT: A Shape and
Reshape Odyssey”.
