How to Improve IT Management - Course Description

Presented by Dr. Bennet P. Lientz

Organisations have been struggling with how to get more out of their IT investment for many years. While there have been successes and recognition of the importance of IT, IT management is faced with a number of serious challenges.

Some question the value of the IT investment. Business units sometimes start their own IT efforts. Much of the IT resource is consumed by day-to-day support rather than long-term work that can benefit the business. Many projects are completed, but fail to deliver their intended and expected benefits.

Management sets high expectations of IT that are difficult to realise. This course addresses these issues and provides a framework and roadmap for improving your IT management. Many detailed guidelines are provided for:

Measurement of IT
IT strategic planning and alignment with business
IT portfolio management
Dealing with evaluating, selecting, and implementing new technology
Managing and allocating IT resources
Coordinating business unit and employee participation and collaboration with IT work
Outsourcing and vendor relations and management
Software packages, software development, network management, operations, maintenance and support

These guidelines have been successfully employed in over fifty organizations in Asia, Australia, Europe, and the Americas in over thirty industries including banking/finance, high technology, telecommunications and network services, system integration, transportation, insurance, manufacturing, distribution, retailing, government, and medical services. They can be applied to IT groups of all sizes. They can be employed within the existing organization and policies of companies without disruption. Most importantly, they yield near term results with limited effort. Attendees are encouraged to bring and present their critical IT management issues so that they can be addressed in the course.

What The Course Will Help You Achieve

More effective IT management
More business support and understanding of IT
IT strategic planning that better aligns with business needs
More productive utilisation of IT resources
Better management of the IT portfolio of projects and work
Better control of non-productive time in IT
Better links with business units and upper management
Grass roots support for IT initiatives
A more proactive and effective IT unit

What You Will Learn

How to measure the effectiveness of your IT organization or group
How to align IT with the business
How to select and implement new technologies
How to more effectively coordinate and manage outsourcing
Detailed steps on how to develop a strategic IT plan
How to manage and control risk in IT
How to more effectively manage and allocate IT resources
How to coordinate business unit involvement in IT
How to build and sustain effective communications with upper management
Specific guidelines for software packages, development, operations, maintenance, and support
Over 30 specific steps that you can take after the course that yield results

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for managers, consultants, systems providers, senior staff, and business managers who are involved in the direction and management of Information Technology in their organisations. No extensive technical knowledge is required. Typical attendees have included:

IT/MIS/DP managers and senior staff
Consultants, IT vendors and suppliers who are involved in IT management
Business managers who oversee or are involved in IT management
Senior IT and business staff involved in IT

What You Will Get

Copy of all presentation materials
Copies of selected chapters from Dr. Lientz's forthcoming book 'Manage IT Better' (currently in production with Elsevier Publishing)
Diskette of templates and guidelines from several of Dr. Lientz's books plus
Selected articles on IT management