Redefining the IT PRORedefining the IT PRO

The Critical Need for Both Technical and Business Skills in the New Global Economy

AgendaAgenda

Introduction

What is an IT Pro?

Supporting the Digital Nervous System

The Top Technical and Business Skills Needed by IT Pros

What is the Impact?

Keys to Success for the New IT Pro

What is an IT Pro?What is an IT Pro?

Information Technology (IT) is a term that encompasses all forms of technology used to create, store, exchange, and use information in its various forms (business data, voice conversations, still images, motion pictures, multimedia presentations, and other forms, including those not yet conceived).

An IT Professional is defined as “Executives, managers, or staff people whose primary job function is the installation, maintenance, management, and/or support of information technology (IT) systems

IT PRO Career ClustersIT PRO Career Clusters

Database Administration

Digital Media

Enterprise Systems Analysis and Integration

Network Design and Administration

Programming/Software Engineering

Technical Support

Technical Writing

Web Administration

IT PRO Paradigm Shift? No… Paradigm ExpansionIT PRO Paradigm Shift? No… Paradigm Expansion

Information technology is considered a critical strategic revenue-generating asset instead of just a tactical (operational) expense.

IT portfolio management (management of IT assets) and IT governance (decision-making process) are part of the strategic planning of any large company.

Computer and Applications

Support

Business ProcessImprovement

Strategic Planning

Network Support

Pre-1990’s2000

Early 1990’sLate 1990’s

Supporting the Digital Nervous System (DNS)Supporting the Digital Nervous System (DNS)

The term “digital nervous system” was discussed by Bill Gates in his book, “Business @ the Speed of Thought.”

It refers not only to the technology infrastructure of a company, but also to the processes that surround the technology and how the information is used.

Benefits of a Healthy Digital Nervous SystemBenefits of a Healthy Digital Nervous System

The “Digital Nervous System” allows businesses to:• Reduce inefficiencies

• Lower operating costs

• Identify and leverage all resources (including intellectual assets – people)

An “Unhealthy” Digital Nervous System Results in DowntimeAn “Unhealthy” Digital Nervous System Results in Downtime

Platform• hardware/OS

• network

• power and disaster

Operator error• forgot something

• lack of procedures

• backup errors/security

• software upgrades

• hardware add/repair

Application failure• untested

• change management

• overload

• weak problem detection

20%Platform

40%Applicatio

n Failure

40%Operator

Error

Industry Business Operations Average Cost of Downtime / Hour

Financial Services Brokerage $6.45M

Financial Services Credit Card $2.6M

Media Pay-Per-View $150K

Retail Home Shopping - TV $113K

Travel Airline Reservations $89.5K

Key Support Areas for IT ProfessionalsKey Support Areas for IT Professionals

The IT PRO must support every business unit in a company.

The health of a “digital nervous system,” and a company’s bottom line, is ultimately dependent on:• The proper aligning of a company’s

business goals with its technology capabilities.

• The business and technical skills of the IT professional that support it.

• The business processes that wrap around the technology to produce results.

InformationFlow

BusinessOperations

KnowledgeManagement

E-Commerce

DigitalNervousSystem

The Top 10 Technical Skills Needed by IT ProsThe Top 10 Technical Skills Needed by IT Pros

1. Ability to Monitor and Report Component, Security and Connectivity Problems

2. Ability to Install, Configure and Test System Hardware and Peripherals

3. Ability to Perform System Backups and Restore Data

4. Ability to Apply Maintenance, Upgrades and Process Changes

5. Ability to Evaluate and Identify Risks as Part of Project Management

6. Ability to Produce Business and Technical Documents

7. Ability to Identify Customer Requirements for Web Development Projects

8. Ability to Develop and Implement Preventative Maintenance Plan

9. Ability to Provide Strategic Direction for Systems Configuration and Inter-operability

10. Ability to Develop and Implement a Security Plan

Six of the Top 10 Technical Skills in Demand are Actually Business SkillsSix of the Top 10 Technical Skills in Demand are Actually Business Skills

1. Ability to Monitor and Report Component, Security and Connectivity Problems

2. Ability to Install, Configure and Test System Hardware and Peripherals

3. Ability to Perform System Backups and Restore Data

4. Ability to Apply Maintenance, Upgrades and Process Changes

5. Ability to Evaluate and Identify Risks as Part of Project Management

6. Ability to Produce Business and Technical Documents

7. Ability to Identify Customer Requirements for Web Development Projects

8. Ability to Develop and Implement Preventative Maintenance Plan

9. Ability to Provide Strategic Direction for Systems Configuration and Inter-operability

10. Ability to Develop and Implement a Security Plan

The Top 10 Business Skills Needed by IT ProsThe Top 10 Business Skills Needed by IT Pros

1. Communication – the ability to communicate ideas

2. Creativity – the ability to “think out-of-the-box”

3. Technology – the willingness to embrace technology

4. Team Work – the ability to work effectively in a team situation

5. Flexibility – the ability to change as-needed and wear “multiple hats”

6. Information Management - the ability to know where to get needed information

7. Self Management - the ability to manage oneself in personal and professional situations

8. Customer Care - the ability to care about the needs and concerns of other people, especially those you serve

9. Project Management – the ability to effectively manage projects so that they are delivered on time and within budget

10. Personal Development - the ability to continuously improve upon one's skill set

What is the Impact?What is the Impact?

40 percent of all IT projects undertaken either failed or were abandoned. (Gartner 1998)

51 percent of large scale IT projects exceeded budget by an average of 189 percent. (Gartner 2000, 107)

90 percent of large scale IT projects ($6M budget or more) failed. Failure was defined as the inability to deliver 90 percent of the promised functionality on time and on budget. (Gartner 1999, 107)

84 percent of executive management, who functioned as project sponsors, felt that project benefits were overstated and the projects’ risks were not fully disclosed. (CIO 2001)

73 percent of respondents in a recent CIO survey agreed that priorities set at the beginning of projects were later shifted due to politics. (Baker and Field, 2001)

The Merging of Disciplines - The IT Solution Architect

The Merging of Disciplines - The IT Solution Architect

TechnicalSkills

BusinessSkills

Project ManagementSkills

Keys to Success for the New IT ProKeys to Success for the New IT Pro

IT Pros cannot only provide reactive support. They must act as “lifeguards” and be proactive by constantly monitoring the digital nervous system for signs of problems, and warning management of any potential dangers.

IT Pros must pursue business skills and project management training, in addition to standard technical training, in order to better serve the needs of their employers and advance in their careers.

IT Pros must market their abilities to solve problems, instead of highlighting specific technologies they have learned, in order to stay competitive in the marketplace.

IT Pros must start thinking both tactically (reducing costs) and strategically (generating revenue).

Questions?Questions?

Ron GandizaGlobal Director of Programs

Culminisron@culminis.comwww.culminis.com