Managing IT As An Investment: Partnering for Success, 1/e
Authors: Ken Moskowitz, Harris Kern
Venue:  (2002)

From the Book:IntroductionWill the Real "World-Class" IT Organization Please Stand Up? Webster's describes Shangri-La as an imaginary, idyllic utopia or hidden paradise. For any IT professional, that usually means getting on an airplane and traveling to a resort with white sandy beaches and a beautiful ocean to de-stress. The daily pressures of IT are excruciating, and if allowed, IT professionals would hop on a plane to Shangri-La at least once a month. Our definition of the ideal IT environment is one that is designed to exceed the enterprise's strategic goals while nurturing the individual to achieve exceptional productivity and job satisfaction. This environment can be recognized by the following signs: Educated and committed enterprise executive management Complete alignment with business goals and objectives Strategic decisions that accommodate a rapidly changing, dynamic business environment Cost-effective results Common architecture (i.e., processes, tools, standards, etc.) Individuals blossoming instead of being buried in a bureaucracy A culture where honesty, mutual respect, and job satisfaction flourish In this environment, it is not an overstatement to say, "Everyone looks forward to Mondays."The most important ingredients are executive management commitment and personal involvement. Without these, very little is possible. Even something as mundane, though of exceptional importance, as a common architecture is unachievable without genuine executive management support. The following is an example of a Standard Enterprise Infrastructure: GDesktop Operating System Global Standard Desktop Application Suite Global Standard Server Operating System Global Standard Messaging and Collaboration Platform Global Standard Remote Access Global Standard Product Platform Global Standard Data Backup Global Standard Virus Scanning Global Standard Server Hardware Global Standard Data Backup Global Standard Monitoring Global Standard Development Database Global Standard Development Methods and Tools Global Standard Desktop Hardware Global Standard Network This formalized infrastructure cannot be lip service, as we have seen at hundreds of firms. True commitment means enforced decisions. True commitment requires educated understanding. It is the job of the CIO to demonstrate the relationship between understanding the strategic technology initiatives and realizing the long-term success of the firm. If executive management fails to see the value of their involvement, it is the CIO's role to change that perception or to think about his or her next career move.Why Do We Find this Environment at S P?We find this environment at S P because S P has a strong culture based on clearly understood, shared values. These shared values are not simply conceptual; they are enumerated, discussed, reinforced, and acted on. Values are guiding principles, basic beliefs that are fundamental assumptions on which all subsequent actions are based. As a whole, values define the personality and character of an individual or group. Values are the essence of an individ make consistent decisions. In reality, values are ideals that are indicative of one's vision of how the world should work. The Value and Purpose of this BookThis book seeks to demonstrate how the consistent application of a few very basic premises will lead to professional success (and personal satisfaction) in IT. Chief executive officers (CEOs) will find what their IT function can contribute and how to maximize its value to the enterprise. Executive managers will learn how to market and enhance their value to the enterprise. Line managers will learn how to accelerate their career paths. Aspiring managers will understand and master the "rules of the game."Through actual examples, we will provide rules of thumb and an intuitive, as well as intellectual, understanding of these basic principles.