Strategic IT Assessment for a Statewide Behavioral Health Organization

Case Study.

Project Overview

Market: Behavioral Health
Primary Service: IT Leadership

John Lynch & Associates was engaged by a large behavioral health organization operating over 40 facilities across Arizona to conduct a comprehensive IT assessment. The goal was to evaluate the effectiveness of the current IT function, identify operational and security gaps, and provide actionable recommendations for organizational improvement and risk mitigation.

Objectives

  • Assess the current IT staffing model and recommend improvements.
  • Evaluate daily IT operations and internal support structures.
  • Review hardware and software inventory across all locations.
  • Analyze IT purchasing processes, controls, and accountability measures.
  • Propose an optimized IT organizational structure aligned with business and clinical goals.

Challenges

  • Fragmented IT structure with unclear roles and responsibilities.
  • Aging hardware and unsupported software across multiple remote locations.
  • Obsolete firewalls and increased cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
  • Inefficient purchasing processes with limited oversight and accountability.
  • Lack of strategic IT leadership at the executive level.

Solutions Implemented

To overcome these challenges, the following solutions were implemented:
  • Conducted detailed interviews with executive leadership and all IT staff to assess departmental effectiveness, responsibilities, and interdepartmental collaboration.
  • Delivered strategic guidance on hiring a Chief Information Officer (CIO) versus a Director of IT and provided a proposed organizational structure to support long-term growth.
  • Completed a current staff analysis to align job roles with job descriptions and conducted a salary review to assess equity and market competitiveness.
  • Assessed internal support operations and daily workflows through interviews, documentation review, and observations across central and remote locations.
  • Evaluated IT support from the perspective of external departments and users to understand service gaps and communication challenges.
  • Proposed a restructured IT organizational chart with clearly defined roles and leadership positions, ensuring appropriate oversight and alignment with strategic business objectives.
  • Completed a hardware and software assessment, revealing widespread issues including:
    • Outdated hardware
    • Inconsistent patching and system maintenance
    • Legacy infrastructure incompatible with newer software versions
    • Critical security vulnerabilities due to unsupported firewalls
  • Reviewed the IT purchasing process, providing clear recommendations to strengthen controls, improve vendor accountability, and streamline procurement workflows.

Results

  • Delivered a roadmap for modernizing the IT department with clearly prioritized action items.
  • Recommended organizational structure changes including the addition of a CIO to drive IT strategy and executive alignment.
  • Exposed and addressed critical cybersecurity risks tied to outdated infrastructure.
  • Provided a foundation for future IT investment planning and improved purchasing governance.
  • Empowered the organization to shift from reactive IT support to proactive, strategic technology management.

Conclusion

Through a comprehensive IT assessment, John Lynch & Associates enabled this statewide behavioral health organization to modernize its IT operations, strengthen its infrastructure, and align technology with broader clinical and operational goals. Our expertise ensured that leadership had the information needed to make strategic decisions for long-term success.

Client Feedback

“John Lynch & Associates provided more than just an IT assessment—they delivered clarity, structure, and a path forward. Their recommendations empowered us to make informed decisions that align IT with the mission and growth of our organization. Their insight was invaluable in reshaping our technology strategy.”
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