STRATEGIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS PLANNING IN U.S. COUNTY GOVERNMENTS: Will the Real SISP Model Please Stand Up?

This paper is the second in a series of studies examining strategic information systems planning (SISP) in U.S. governments based on information technology performance data and ratings generated for the Government Performance Project (2000 re states and 2001 re counties). The first study examined SISP at the state level (PPMR, June 2002). This study investigates SISP in county government using data from the 40 largest U.S. counties in terms of revenue within regions. Findings suggest that structural features of county government inhibit translation to counties of successful business models for strategic use of information systems, and they support the conclusion that models need to be adapted to meet the challenges of government planning. Examples of successful planning in some counties where the county CIO or the central county information technology office plan strategically within the limits of their authority may point a way toward a model for government. Further study is needed to develop a reliable U.S. government model for SISP