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I. IT Management Tips & Techniques
Infrastructure Strategy
This month's topic of my "11 key attributes of any successful IT manager" is titled Infrastructure Strategy. Many of you might ask, "How does systems infrastructure have anything to do with my IT management role ?" If your role is to manage an IT Support Desk, or if you are a Programming Manager, I can see how you might ask this question.
If you manage any portion of an IT organization, it's important that you have an understanding of your technology infrastructure. I would be the first to tell you that my understanding of systems infrastructure is at an issue level, a priority focus, and a concept of what is needed to provide a stable, yet scaleable systems environment for the business units of a company that need technology to do their jobs.
Yes, that's right, a CIO, which I've been most of my career, does not have to be an expert systems specialist to manage IT, but he or she should have a good fundamental understanding of the components that make up a company's technology infrastructure and how they fit into a service strategy.
The best example I can think of is that, "I don't have to know how to set up e-mail on Microsoft Outlook to effectively manage the technology resources charged with managing e-mail for the company." I do need to have insight into the company's current and future need of e-mail and issues that might surround the implementation of e-mail (cost, security, naming schemes, other related services, etc).
The parts that are included in my definition of systems infrastructure include:
application servers
local area networks (LAN's)
wide area networks (WAN's)
data center or computer center
systems security
e-mail
internet servers and connectivity
intranet servers and connectivity
distributed office connectivity
desktop standards
printing standards
infrastructure help desk
infrastructure monitoring & support tools
remote "dial-in" standards
At a CIO level, you need to have a pretty good understanding of each of these areas and insure that you have "experts" in place capable of supporting and migrating your infrastructure as needed to support changes in your business environment.
At an IT manager level, you should have an understanding of the infrastructure components that are required to carry out your responsibilities and that will support your success. For example, a Programming Manager is dependent upon sufficient application server, security, and appropriate accessibility of users that use the business applications that your organization might support. If your company plans to grow significantly, it makes sense that the programming manager should understand the infrastructure requirements that will be required to support his application for a much larger user base. Don't go "put your head in the sand". It pays dividends for you to help anticipate the needs of the future with the other managers charged with infrastructure responsibility. After all, you're part of a team and watching out for one another is a big part of teamwork.
Developing an infrastructure strategy should follow a certain priority. Establishing a stable and supportable environment would be my first priority. Adding new systems, additional networks, etc. in an already unstable environment simply adds to the challenge. Stabilize what you have first.
Next, fill basic service gaps that provide the company with critical services that allow your IT organization to be a responsive support organization. E-mail services, support desk capabilities, change management processes, and escalation procedures fall into this category.
Finally, identify and address infrastructure issues that anticipate your future need. Position your systems, networks, organizations, etc. for future growth or expected strategic initiatives. That doesn't mean "run out and buy before you need the new technology". It does mean you should develop a strategy and a logical game plan by which you identify the infrastructure components that will be needed assuming certain things happen in the company and how you would go about adding each component.
Every project that you initiate should take into consideration means that provide five things for your company's infrastructure:
stability
supportability
scalability
security
cost effectiveness
If you can balance these needs of your company when you develop your infrastructure strategy, you will be providing excellent value, , , and that increases your value to your company.
For more on developing an infrastructure strategy for your company, take a look at my IT Management Development Series of publications. The titles of all 10 publications and their Table of Contents can be viewed at www.mde.net/cio .
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