Metis Strategy’s World Class IT Assessment is designed to provide a comprehensive, 360-degree view of IT’s performance and to help evaluate where the greatest sources of value and the greatest exposure to risk lie. We have implemented this methodology at a wide range of leading IT departments within Fortune 500 companies, and we are proud to say that our clients have literally painted the collateral of our methodology on their walls, and made it a starting point for the IT strategic planning process.
This is really the foundational principle. Without the right people doing the right jobs at the right time, it will be nearly impossible to achieve excellent performance.
We like to say that this is the principle that separates proactive organizations from reactive ones. If infrastructure is not reliably performing its tasks, the IT organization will become stuck in reactive mode, constantly fighting fires. If systems and hardware work reliably, then a larger portion of the organization can think about the future.
This is the engine through which new capabilities can be brought to bear on behalf of the company. It is important to ensure that projects are delivered on-time, on- budget, and on target, and that the portfolio collectively supports the objectives of the business.
It is important that first and foremost, the different parts of IT from business analysis to development and QA through to support and all other aspects of the IT department communicate effectively and efficiently. It is equally important then that IT develop a partnering relationship with the business. If the three prior principles are done well, then IT should earn a place at the strategy setting table, driving different parts of the business strategy.
Outsourcing is becoming crucial to corporations, and managing these relationships to ensure that value is achieved is critical. In the fourth principle, the organization has learned and contributed to the discussion about what is strategic and what is not. Once that is clear, then it will be easier to determine which aspects of IT might be better managed by external partners or vendors.