The APM Blog
I thought I’d present a few highlights that reflect a definite progression to show how and why cloud IS in fact becoming assimilated by IT. You, by the way, are the very first to see some of these results thanks to the way APMdigest deadlines fell in the process of preparing the analysis ...
During your ITIL implementation, it is important to remember that it’s possible to have the best capabilities for the wrong project. The ITIL implementation team should consist of individuals selected not only on their experience, skills and knowledge, but also on how they best fit the project and deliverable you’re looking to achieve ...
Having just attended one of IBM’s analyst events in which fairly predictable themes like "cloud", "mobility", "analytics" and "dev /ops" were mixed with less industry-wide themes—such as "Smart Cities", and IBM’s distinctive initiative in the verticals area, it occurred to me once again that IT organizations are going through not one but multiple revolutions. And these revolutions don’t often align in either convenient or even logical ways ...
Speakers on a recent ITSM podcast supported the view that we shouldn't outsource something that is broken because we don't understand it well enough, and therefore can't adequately specify our requirements to the service provider. I think it is worth challenging this conventional wisdom ...
In my previous blog post, I outlined the three key elements that people face surrounding the successful implementation of ITIL, which were processes, technology and suppliers. Let’s now examine these elements more closely to see how we can integrate them into our implementation.
Back in the “good” or “bad” old days, life used to be simpler for those of us focused on BSM. Application Management, though strategic, was domain-centric and BSM was where everything came together. But as technologies evolved, and a growing focus on real-time currency, in part due to cloud, caused a combination of panic and realignment in many IT organizations, APM became more cross-domain in nature and BSM became more of a watchword for strategies that get postponed for blue skies and quieter times ...
Implementing ITIL can be a very difficult task, especially with the considerations that need to be applied both within and outside an organization before committing. The organization’s business objectives, environment, structure, culture, people and, more importantly, attitude toward ITIL need to be considered ...
This blog is the second in a series to help you getter a better sense of what kind of analytic technologies are available in the market today and how they might best apply to your environment.
CIOs increasingly find themselves orchestrating Data Center infrastructure and process re-organizations so they can respond with the speed and agility necessary to achieve evolving business goals. Old ways of operation won't work. Adapting to changing conditions and responding to evolving demands can’t happen quickly enough. The result is that CIOs are embracing Cloud-based solutions at nearly twice the rate than they did two years ago, which also brings its own problems.
"Analytics" is -- like many words applied to BSM, service management and the management of applications and networked infrastructures -- a somewhat conflicted term.
In a previous blog I commented that I didn't like the Wikipedia entry for Business Service Management (BSM), and having checked with people involved in the original creation of the term, they seemed to agree with me.
The perception of many customers is that “IT is too hard”. Many struggle with different places to order different services, are unsure of the cost involved and do not understand the true value IT provides to the business. Part of this is because IT does a poor job marketing and selling what they do to the business. A service catalog is a great mechanism to market and sell IT services 24x7 and provide useful information about the services offered.
After spending more time than I might have liked relating just about everything I cover to cloud computing adoption – from CMDB/CMS systems, to cross-domain automation technologies, to BSM dashboards with advanced analytics, User Experience Management, to a service-centric vision of asset management, etc. – I have come to see cloud computing also has more than a few dark sides quite apart from the most obvious first-blush security and data control issues.
On the day that Steve Jobs stood down as Chief Executive of Apple, my attention has been drawn to a commencement speech he gave at Stanford University in 2005 ... I think it can help guide us to a healthier and more productive attitude to ITIL, and all other guidance, best/good practices, frameworks and standards. I think there is also a useful message regarding advice from consultants and others.
As part of a series on cloud computing, Network World has named 10 Cloud Management Companies to Watch.
What is the core business that your IT services support? Your vision should be mapped to the overall business goals of the company or organization. If you cannot map a goal as part of the vision, it probably doesn’t belong. This is a great exercise to build IT goals that will truly transform your IT services organization into a true business partner.
Well, let's take a quick look at some definitions from the ITIL 2011 edition glossary, and some comments from the 2011 edition books, add in some interpretation (yes, my subjective opinions), and see what conclusion we come to.
At a vendor-sponsored event earlier this year, I spent some time with IT and business managers that had participated in a simulation workshop. The object was to help managers and operation staff become familiar with a private Cloud operating environment, ITIL v3 best practices and a new set of integrated management solutions. It was an interesting and informative experience in and of itself. Reviewing the lessons learned during the workshop, it occurred to me that there were some too often overlooked insights that apply to organizations and enterprises pursuing a BSM operational environment.
Cowboy Service Management Practitioners and Consultants - there are too many out there. Just because you know some of the language, because you've been on an ITIL course or read the books, doesn't make you good. Yes, you need an appreciation of the text-book knowledge, maybe a few qualifications and training courses will also help, but there's no substitute for real practical experience, and lots of it.
I'm still concerned by the number of organizations who say they are "implementing ITIL", even worse the ones that say "we're implementing ITIL V3".
