Company A is a ‘smart sourcing’ company that supplies merchants through the world with consumer goods. Rather than own any product or warehousing facility, it leverages the assets of some 25k other firms possessing specialized production and distribution capabilities. To leverage technology, the Company links all supply chain components through its extranet. 3k of the Company’s 14k employees are involved with the development and maintenance of the Companys extranet resources. At a recessionary time, should the Company reduce cost through outsourcing IT to a global service provider?

To ensure appropriate timeliness, pricing, and quality, the Company requires greater granular control over supply chain components. Which IT goal and metric best supports this business goal?

The Company has privileged access to the information resources of more than 7500 firms. What best assures the Company’s Board that this access will be used responsibly?

Due to a manufacturing defect, finished goods made using Suppler B’s products need be recalled. Such products may have been re-labeled or otherwise changed as they passed through Company A’s supply chain What previous management activity would ensure that the Company has the information to support such a recall effort?

The Company has begun an infrastructure improvement project targeted at revenue growth. Use of what measurement framework is likely to be most effective in achieving these goals?