Responding to drivers of change: Preparing for the “unthinkable” before it happens – A case study

Abstract

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) was requested by the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) to develop a Master Information Systems and Security Technology Plan (MISSTP). The MISSTP was developed as a “roadmap” that highlighted the strategic considerations for design and transformation of the enterprise considering the financial constraints on Government departments due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic. This article presents the methodology used to develop this plan, findings and the key insights along three themes: strategic thinking, responsive implementation of strategy and increasing productivity. These themes have broader applicability to organisations in preparing for the “unthinkable” before it happens by developing organizational mechanisms for adaptation. We show how it is important not to focus on technology in a narrow sense but consider the business requirements, how they lead to capabilities and how the required technology can be adopted sustainably within the organisation.