Creating a fit between BPR and IT infrastructure: A proposed framework foreffective implementation

As business imperatives change and new high-capability information technolo gies (IT) appear, organizations recognize the need to remain at the forefro nt of change by reengineering their business processes and implementing ena bling responsive IT infrastructures. However, experience in this context in dicates a lack of comprehension of essential elements and their mutual rela tionships that can contribute to the success of business-process change-imp lementation efforts. This article proposes a framework for managing IT for effective business-process redesign (BPR) implementation. After establishin g BPR principles, components, and the relationship of BPR to some organizat ional and technological approaches, it presents the role and benefits of IT in BPR. The article then discusses in detail the core elements of the fram ework. Its theme is that an IT infrastructure that covers issues of BPR str ategy development, IT strategic alignment, IT infrastructure development, I T sourcing, legacy systems reengineering, IS integration, and IS function c ompetence is essential and critical for effective implementation.