Case Study IV-1 The Clarion School for Boys, Inc
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Teaching Note on Case Study IV-1
The Clarion School for Boys, Inc. Milwaukee Division:
Making Information Systems Investments
Objectives
This case was written to help students recognize the consequences that can result from a lack of
rigorous IS planning as well as, anecdotally, what happened in the situation at the Clarion School
It is important for the students to realize that their future business manager roles may require
them to:
Define their information resources responsibilities: John Young did not recognize the full
spectrum of his responsibilities at the Clarion School for Boys, Inc. Milwaukee Division.
Develop a general model for information system assessment: Young also had no model
Some other objectives that an instructor may wish to accomplish through this case include:
Illustrating the interrelationship of business planning and information systems (IS)
planning, including the managerial expectations of:
– information systems as investments
Overview
the main character, John Young a (young) financial and business manager of the Clarion School
for Boys with an MBA in financial management was primarily responsible for the information
staff member at the school.
Case Study IV-1 The Clarion School for Boys, Inc.
McHardy requested that Young present his assessment of the current situation and a long-range
system plan to the Board of Directors at their quarterly meeting.
Questions for Discussion
1. Identify the key
each other. Describe the IS management position(s) that were missing at Clarion and suggest
candidate(s) to fill the roles.
Key Players and Roles
John Young Controller of Clarion Milwaukee: Mr. Young manages the administrative
functions as well as being in charge of the IS area (see Exhibit 2 of the case). The students
should question whether Young is able at this point to fulfill the requests of McHardy to
present a plan to the Board. The students should as well wonder if anyone currently
employed by Clarion seems qualified to lead the IS function.
What is Missing?
Case Study IV-1 The Clarion School for Boys, Inc.
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Originally inspired by the promise of saving staff time by using electronic communications,
having the ability to accelerate routine tasks, and providing easier, faster access to computerized
student data, the Board of Directors agreed to an information technology investment in an IBM
AS/4
benefits), Clarion has received only modest benefits from this investment.
By analyzing the data compiled by both the IS Task Force and LTM, one can develop a clearer
The system is not without positives, however, as most of the staff feels the system is better than
what was available at other similar institutions. Some of the positives include:
Ability to distribute weekly teaching plans easily
Ability to have a central point of input for grades
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3. Develop a detailed outline of a long-range information system plan for Clarion Milwaukee.
A long-term plan should include the following sections:
Statement of precise objectives
4. proposal
bono work. And because of a clear lack of deliverables, there is too much room for LTM to
charge for additional work without proof of their performance on this contract. This gave LTM
5. Describe three key projects which should be developed immediately at Clarion. Describe
how to effectively prioritize the projects. How do politics play a role in prioritization at
Clarion?
There are several potential projects that would create an immediate impact for Clarion. These
include training for the staff on systems features, software application projects to assist various
6. What organizational changes are necessary in order to implement the long-term plan derived
in question number three above?
Case Study IV-1 The Clarion School for Boys, Inc.
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Clearly the IS manager needs to report through the Executive Director (Superintendent). A good
follow-up question to this answer is: How well will this plan work with McHardy as the
Executive Director?
7. What should John Young do now?
Assuming Young cannot put off his presentation to the Board which would be his best choice
given his situation John needs to create a total cost of ownership analysis of the three
alternatives listed at the end of the overview section above. Sufficient data are available in the