* MOOSE: spending to maintain and operate the organization, systems, and equipment
Forrester makes a clear and simple checklist for CIO's/CTO's, containing best practices on the ability to control their MOOSE costs. So here's the list, with a few comments of my own experience: 1. Adoption of ITIL and other frameworks brings discipline and efficiency to IT ops - ITIL is important to bring a functional work scheme and you'll must follow it 2. IT systems performance management increases throughput and manages costs. - runtime configuration of hardware, system software, and applications are literally the engine that runs the business 3. Server consolidation cuts hardware, software, staff, and other costs. - consolidate software and hardware 4. Data center automation reduces data center operating costs 5. Server virtualization lowers hardware costs and reduces administrative burden - and helps you managing the infrastructure and hardware better 6. Application rationalization helps IT shed duplicate applications and infrastructure. - short, cleaner applications that make sense, instead of all company portfolio for everything and the kitchen sink 7. Improved data on application resource usage makes better use of maintenance staff 8. APM develops metrics to drive maintenance effort and cost reductions 9. Software change and configuration management tools and processes reduce outages - again, ITIL process 10. IT asset management optimizes usage with well-tracked software and hardware - track everything; software, hardware, chairs, doors, keyboards, etc 11. Current generation service-desk tools keep IT support costs down - the better helpdesk, more IT time have 12. Enterprise architecture groups drive standardization of the software portfolio - SOA, SaaS 13. Vendor and contract management teams squeeze more value from vendors - using opensource as an open alternative is a good choice to lower proprietary vendors 14. Contract life-cycle management helps optimize the savings from supplier contracts - give budget to your directors and people, say that they have to manage it well or else it's their neck on the line and centralize all costs. buy bulk. 15. Formal IT sourcing practices cut ongoing depreciation and maintenance fees - buy or lease? what's the best choice to your organization ? 16. eSourcing and services procurement tools help secure more competitive vendor bids - put the technical people in charge of RFI's, the financial guy in to RFQ and the directors in the RFP 17. Recurring consideration of selective outsourcing may lower costs and improve IT - use wisely this option, either can kill you or drive you insane 18. Implementation of IT operations scorecards drives improvements and reduces cost - define goals for everyone and judge then at the end. this was one (of many) mistakes made in ITIJ by me. I've underestimate the people factor. 19. Give IT leaders dual roles as business relationship and IT activity managers - it's not just IT, but rather relationships between departments 20. Create a funding pool to pay for IT MOOSE management initiatives - drinks and pizza for everyone :) If you need some additional input or the Forrester report, feel free to contact me. -- //VD _______________________________________________ tce mailing list tce@lists.paradigma.pt http://lists.paradigma.pt/mailman/listinfo/tce
