| Information Systems (IS) planning has become a subject of considerable importance to the academics as well as a key management issue for practitioners. Organizations are interested in evaluating the extent to which IS planning is meeting the challenge from this new IS environment and whether it is producing the desired benefits.;The data for the study were collected through a large scale field survey. The analysis of the data revealed that existence of functional information inputs and adequacy of planning resources are significant predictors of the quality of the planning process. The quality of integration mechanisms significantly moderates the relationship between the existence of functional information inputs and the quality of the planning process. The quality of the planning process significantly influences the quality of the output plan and the effectiveness of the planning system. The quality of implementation mechanisms is a moderator of the relationship between quality of the output plan and effectiveness of the planning system. The "role of IS in the organization" significantly influences the planning characteristics and the effectiveness of the planning system.;A conceptual model, identifying the various components of the IS planning system and its linkages, was developed for evaluating IS planning. Based on the conceptual model a research model was developed that evaluated the various components and linkages of the conceptual model and their interrelationships. The various components of the research model are: (a) existence of functional information inputs on the business plans and the mission of the IS function, (b) adequacy of resources used for IS planning, (c) quality of the planning process, (d) quality of the output plan, and (e) effectiveness of the planning system. The various links in the research model are: (a) quality of integration mechanisms that facilitate the integration of the information inputs in the planning process, (b) efficiency of utilization of resources, and (c) quality of implementation mechanisms that facilitate the implementation of plan recommendations. The impact of three organizational factors--the role of IS in the organization, planning structure, and the quality of strategic planning system--on IS planning was also analyzed. |
