MIS planning practice: Many organizations formalize their approach to Management Information Systems by creating what kind of overarching plan to guide priorities, architecture, and sequencing?

Introduction / Context:
Large information initiatives require structured planning to align technology with business strategy. Organizations often articulate a top-level roadmap for systems, data, and infrastructure that coordinates investments over several years.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The context is organization-wide MIS planning.
• The plan should set priorities, sequencing, and governance.
• We are looking for the common label used in practice.

Concept / Approach:
An MIS master plan (sometimes called an information systems master plan or IS roadmap) sets the strategic direction for applications, platforms, integration, security, and data governance. It aligns initiatives with business capabilities and budgets, reducing redundancy and guiding phased delivery. It differs from operational “control” plans or ad hoc “decision” documents, and it is more specific than a generic “plan.”

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
IS strategy frameworks and enterprise architecture practices commonly reference an IS/MIS master plan or roadmap to coordinate portfolios.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Decision: A single choice, not a comprehensive roadmap.
• Plan: Too generic; lacks the specific, recognized label.
• Control: Pertains to governance/operations, not the strategic roadmap.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing annual budgets with multi-year architecture roadmaps; producing a list of projects without dependency mapping or capability alignment.

Final Answer:
master