IT Management
Running corporate IT is like being the captain of a ship. Being a seafaring person myself there are lot of lessons to be learned for managing and therefore for managing IT.
One key concept is that of navigation. Many CIO’s talk of visions, strategy, tactics and execution. Sounds absolutely cool. But it is much simpler! You want to get somewhere. It is not a war … at least it should not be. As a captain there is one key element that you HAVE TO know. Where are we? Location, location, location! That comes before you start to think about where to go. It is actually something you never stop doing. As it happens that part has become much easier with the availability of GPS. But still, you need to use GPS cautiously to not run aground anyway. Then you need to figure out where you want to go and finally chart a course and make a plan. A captain does need a crew and havign the right people with the right skill is essentail before you set out on a journey. That does not happen in IT. CIO’s have a vision, not sure where they are, set sail, even point in a direction and GO. They have not even looked at the weather conditions (environment), crew (manpower) or fuel gauge (finance).
In this series of arcticles I therefore want to comment on IT management issues.
Max Pucher