How to become an IT Strategist

Owing to the need to maintain having smart solutions for the ultimate success of an organization, technology should be one of the decisive parameters in strategic planning of the organization which is carried out by an IT strategist.  An IT strategist is a seasoned professional within an organization that is responsible for establishing initiatives to best employ information technology (IT) practices to serve respective business objectives and outcomes. 

An IT strategist keeps in mind the organization’s vision and establishes the role technology can play in advancing its strategic priorities. There is a big pool of roles and profiles in the IT industry and their nuances, but when addressing technologist VS strategist, a technologist is a rather tech-heavy job role that may entail coding, developing, data science. Strategist, on the other hand, concerns planning, and maximizing efficiency of technology and business strategies. 

An IT strategist manages projects by keeping up with the advancing technologies to increase efficiency and profits. Providing recommendations and guidance associated with the software, IT operations and computer equipment is done by an IT strategist by evaluating the IT systems within the company and consolidating the analysis in a report.

The role of an IT strategist typically depends on the experience, skill sets, area of specialization and the organization that she/he works with. Generally,  it comprises of the following tasks: 

• Assess and analyze user requirements 
• Investigate new technologies
• Consult clients, project managers, programmers and sales and marketing professionals concerning the performance of systems and its potential
• Design, a technology-based development plan
• Identify economic, efficient and secure approaches to technological platforms internally and externally
• Recommend and oversee the implementation of changes to infrastructures
• Set up metrics to gauge the quality and usefulness of these changes and generally the services provided by the organization

• An IT strategist must have certain requisite skills and inclinations along with a relevant educational background in order to excel in the field.
• Aspirants are expected to be excellent problem-solvers, have great communication skills, adaptability, a natural affinity for technology, gadgets and a sharp, analytic mind.
• An IT strategist also tends to work in highly challenging work environments with individual project work as well as team interaction which is why aspirants must have leadership skills,  team working skills and the ability to work well under pressure.
• IT strategist jobs require a fair contribution of engineering principles, innovation, application of logical concepts, and thus, candidates must exhibit these traits to at least some extent.
• Aspirants must also have commercial awareness of the industry that they work in as well keep abreast with the evolving technologies to do justice to the role of an IT strategist. 

The salary of a IT Strategist is as follows :

• Minimum Monthly Salary: Entry-level IT strategists or those in smaller companies can expect a monthly salary ranging from INR 30,000 to INR 60,000. This salary range is typical during the initial stages of their careers in IT strategy.
• Maximum Monthly Salary: Experienced and highly accomplished IT strategists, especially those working with top-tier tech companies or possessing specialized expertise, have the potential to earn a total monthly salary ranging from INR 1,50,000 to INR 3,00,000 or even more.
• Annual Salary: The annual salary of an IT strategist displays significant variation, spanning from INR 3,60,000 to several lakhs or more. This range is influenced by factors such as years of experience, strategic understanding, and the impact of their strategies on the organization's success.
• Highest Position and Scope: The pinnacle of achievement for IT strategists often materializes when they establish their own successful consultancy or advisory firm, offering high-level strategic guidance to prominent businesses. Accomplished IT strategists with a profound understanding of technology trends can command substantial fees for their strategic insights. The scope for IT strategists is promising, driven by the continuous evolution of technology and businesses' growing reliance on strategic IT planning. Furthermore, the increasing demand for innovative solutions and digital transformation amplifies opportunities. IT strategists play a pivotal role in shaping technology-driven business trajectories, aligning them with organizational goals and market trends, thereby contributing to the overall success of enterprises.

In order to enroll into a Bachelor’s program at an esteemed university, aspirants are expected to clear the JEE main and subsequently, the JEE Advance exam which makes the aspirant eligible to apply anywhere in India. It is a very difficult and challenging exam to crack that requires hard work as well as rigorous and consistent preparation. Some states have their own entrance exams that are admissible in their respective universities. Many educational institutes conduct their own entrance tests.  

An IT strategist can find opportunities and make valuable contributions in various industries. The role of an IT strategist involves:

• Aligning technology solutions with business goals.
• Optimizing IT processes.
• Ensuring that technology investments deliver tangible benefits.

Here are several industries where IT strategists are often sought after:

1. Finance and Banking: Financial institutions heavily rely on technology to manage transactions, risk, customer information, and compliance. IT strategists can help design and implement secure and efficient systems for online banking, mobile payments, fraud detection, and more.
2. Healthcare: The healthcare industry needs IT strategists to manage electronic health records (EHR) systems, telemedicine platforms, medical device integration, and data security solutions while ensuring compliance with regulations like HIPAA.
3. Retail and E-commerce: IT strategists in this sector work on improving customer experiences through online shopping platforms, inventory management systems, supply chain optimization, and personalized marketing using data analytics.
4. Manufacturing: Manufacturing companies require IT strategists to oversee the implementation of technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), automation, and data analytics to enhance production processes, quality control, and supply chain efficiency.
5. Energy and Utilities: IT strategists can play a role in optimizing energy distribution systems, smart metering, renewable energy management, and predictive maintenance of utility infrastructure.
6. Telecommunications: This industry relies on IT strategists to manage and enhance telecommunications networks, develop new services like 5G, and improve customer service through digital channels.
7. Consulting Firms: IT strategists can work for consulting firms that offer technology advisory services to various industries. They help businesses identify technology gaps, develop digital transformation strategies, and implement solutions to drive growth.
8. Transportation and Logistics: In this sector, IT strategists can work on optimizing transportation routes, tracking systems, fleet management, and supply chain optimization to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
9. Government and Public Sector: IT strategists in the public sector can help in digital government initiatives, e-governance, cybersecurity, and data-driven decision-making to improve citizen services.
10. Education: Educational institutions need IT strategists to implement online learning platforms, student information systems, and data analytics tools to enhance teaching methods and administrative processes.
11. Entertainment and Media: IT strategists can contribute to developing digital media platforms, content distribution systems, and data-driven marketing strategies within the entertainment industry.
12. Agriculture: The agricultural sector can benefit from IT strategists implementing precision agriculture technologies, sensor networks, and data analytics to optimize crop yields and resource usage.
13. Real Estate: IT strategists can work on property management systems, smart building technologies, and real estate analytics platforms to streamline operations and enhance tenant experiences.
14. Pharmaceuticals: IT strategists can assist pharmaceutical companies with implementing systems for research and development, clinical trials, regulatory compliance, and supply chain optimization.
15. Automotive: IT strategists can contribute to developing connected cars, autonomous vehicles, and manufacturing technologies within the automotive industry.