Strategic Planning Model for the Digitalization of Subak Cultural Heritage: An Integrated SWOT-PESTEL Approach

Many countries currently face problems related to the loss of cultural heritage due to inadequate documentation. Several collective actions must be taken to document, preserve, and protect ancestral cultural practices and knowledge, one of which is through digitalization. Subak is an irrigation and agriculture management organization based on Balinese customs adhering to the Tri Hita Karana principle, and it has existed for centuries as a cultural heritage. This research was aimed at designing a strategic planning model for the digitalization of Subak cultural heritage. The research began with the needs analysis, the data for which were collected through field observations, in-depth interviews, and document analysis. The collected data were subjected to SWOT analysis focusing on internal environment of the Subak (Business Model Canvas), external environment (PESTEL), and internal and external IT environment. Subsequently, the Ward & Peppard IT strategy mapping was conducted using the Mc Farlan Strategic Grid Quadrant priority scale. The ultimate aim of the research was to produce a strategic planning model for the digitalization of Subak cultural heritage in Bali. The IT strategic planning model represents a general description of the condition of Subak as a noble heritage of the ancestors of the Balinese people and provides valuable feedback for policy-makers in an attempt to preserve such ancestral wisdom and manage the knowledge of Subak.