Portfolio Management

 

When it comes to measuring the success of an IT Department and creating and defining the metrics and investment returns of Technology in an organization has always been a nebulous effort in the past.  Post Recession, businesses are expecting to know that if $1 is invested that they will reap a positive ROI on that technology and managing the complete Portfolio of Technologies has become a full time job!

This discipline looks not just at the hardware and software but also oversees the project implementation and success, measures the completion of directives from Strategic Plans and overall guides a department and quantifies the informal IT efforts and ensures continued success.

 

Security

 

With the onslaught of hacker attacks lately that has brought down many notable large companies, Information Security is on EVERYONE’s mind.  I have had more than one IT Manager contact me post LulzSec to inquire about what my organization can do for them.  A solid security platform though just like a good lock will only keep out an honest thief!

Security MUST start at the end user.  Always the weakest link in the Security Chain the end user is absolutely key to any implementation.  Training, Education and Testing are the only way to ensure that the Back Door is protected!  I am also seeing a massive shift for the role of IT Security to balance directly with the Physical Security with the digitization of CCTV and the storage requirements of that information.  Areas of IT Security that I expect will continue to grow are:

 

• Data Loss Prevention – the monitoring of I/O traffic
• Firewalls and VPNs
• Content Monitoring and Security Management
• Anti-Virus
• Configuration Management and Encryption
• Authentication Management and Access Control
• Identity and Rights Management
• I also see a trend to more functional GRC tools (Governance, Risk and Compliance) across industries

These items account a large portion of any budget but can any business afford the negative impact of a breach?

Project Managers are among my favorite clients to work with.  They are by their very nature curious about what someone has done before them and the Practical Nature of the IT Research that my company produces is right in line with what they need to complete their assigned tasks on time and on budget.

For these people they are the master Cat Wranglers of any business dealing with often conflicting personalities, some times massive egos and never a dull moment.  With Small Departments that I often work with, this is one area that is the first to get a boost in staffing because it has become vital to the company that all projects are on time and within scope.

Do you need to be PMI Certified to be an effective Project Manager?  Is the investment in wildly expensive PM

Suites really increase the successful implementation of a project?  Does every company need a formal PMO (Project Management Office) to follow, track and ensure portfolio protection?

These are questions that I can assist with and guide my clients through on a regular basis by leveraging the best practice content that we build.

You may have noticed that I have linked a Video to each of my posts this week.

If you have ever felt that being an IT Leader was too much like being a Cat Herder…this should bring a smile to your face.

Chris J Powell