Overview

This chapter is about optimizing the effectiveness of the IT function s working practices. Effectiveness is a key indicator of the perceived professionalism of the IT products and services delivery factory . This is principally about the rigour of the working practices adopted, largely embodied in the methods adopted. In my experience IT staff will almost invariably profess their support for the methods in place across their IT function. This is partially, of course, because it is not politically correct to say otherwise. But I believe it is also because they really support the principle that methods are a good thing , in the same sense that virtue is a good thing . It does not mean that they necessarily actually apply the best practice methods with any degree of rigour in everyday practice.

Effectiveness is optimized by establishing these best practices across the IT function, where best practices are as I have characterized them in Chapter 2, namely:

1. Best practices must be methodical.

2. Best practices must be generally applicable.

3. Best practices must demonstrably be applicable in the real world .

4. For a best practice to satisfy our test of bestness , its application must demonstrably result in a better outcome.

In order to identify key areas that would benefit most from the adoption of best practices, a diagnostic review of strengths and weaknesses would typically be conducted on the existing IT...