CIO Roadmap

1. Size up management issues, systems, budget and application needs

2. Collect data, identify key personnel, and cite best practices

3. Design ideal architecture; assess costs, choose which systems to integrate

4. Create IT transition teams, prioritize key IT projects and set up joint IT-business task forces

5. Design new IT department; determine dominant IT organization and develop migration plan

6. Work on communications systems first and plan next steps, including long-term integration roadmap

7. Combine key systems, pilot new processes, monitor progress and seek new synergies

Source: Daimlerchrysler Corp.