“Raise Your Glasses – The Water’s Magic! Strategic IT at SA Water: A Case Study in Alignment, Outsourcing, and Governance” by Thorogood et al. (2004) is a case study that examines the strategic alignment, outsourcing, and governance practices of SA Water, a government-owned corporation in South Australia that provides water and sewerage services to the region.

The article highlights the importance of IT alignment in achieving business goals and improving performance. The authors argue that strategic IT alignment requires a shared understanding of business goals, effective communication between IT and business units, and the involvement of senior management in the alignment process.

The case study also examines SA Water’s outsourcing strategy, which involved outsourcing the majority of IT services to external vendors. The authors highlight the importance of effective vendor management in ensuring the success of outsourcing initiatives. They also emphasize the need for effective governance practices to manage vendor relationships and ensure that outsourcing initiatives align with business goals.

The case study provides insights into the challenges and benefits of outsourcing IT services and highlights the importance of effective governance in managing outsourcing relationships. The authors suggest that organizations should prioritize effective governance practices to ensure that outsourcing initiatives align with business goals and contribute to improved performance.

Overall, Thorogood et al.’s article provides a practical example of strategic IT alignment, outsourcing, and governance practices in a real-world context. The case study highlights the importance of IT alignment and effective governance practices in achieving business goals and improving performance, and provides practical insights for organizations seeking to improve their alignment and governance practices.