IT Governance - The Basics

What Is IT Governance?				2.Know what you're working towards. Reviews of
At the macro level, successful IT governance is				successful IT governance models have revealed that
accomplished by basing IT practices on high-quality,				there are characteristics common to all models.
well-defined, repeatable processes. At the micro level,				Derived from industry standards, the following
IT governance focuses on developing precise policies,				outcomes are indicative, but not exhaustive, of
clearly defined procedures, and scrupulously detailed				well-executed governance deployments:oComplete,
documentation. In addition to zeroing in on these areas,				flexible IT structure geared toward the delivery of
IT governance also constitutes a forward-looking plan				business applications.oCentrally managed IT
for continual improvement.				infrastructure, as well as centralized IT
Types of Governance Models				staff.oEstimated project costs based on a five-year
There are two main public models for IT governance.				lifecycle cost.oProject portfolio management in
The IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) is a widely accepted				place.oClearly defined reporting relationships and strict
approach. Specifically developed for IT service				adherence to standards.
management and operations, ITIL is a framework of				3.Use modules from the standards bodies. An IT shop
best practices that are documented in an abstract				in a mid-sized company won't be able to implement
fashion to be applicable to any IT organization. ITIL's				ITIL or COBIT in whole - they are simply too big and
main focus is to provide service objectives, key				all-encompassing. You can, however, use parts of
activities, and key performance indicators for				them that speak directly to your particular needs. For
applications management, IT service delivery and				example, if the help desk is your worry, then use the
support, infrastructure management, and business				help desk module from ITIL like the government of
perspectives. This method is divided into 48 modules				Ontario did. When using this module-by-module
processes.				approach, keep the following tips in mind:oBe sure to
Elsewhere, the Control Objectives for Information and				first benchmark the trouble area before moving ahead
related Technology (COBIT) is used as a control				with the module. This way, you will be able to better
framework for corporate IT processes. Organizations				measure performance over time.oContinue to stay
use COBIT to manage accountability of IT resources,				focused on this one area of change, as training,
focus resources on business goals, and to build a				implementation, and change management will pose
framework for risk assessment. It divides information				major ongoing challenges.oUse such projects as a
technology into 34 modules/processes that are further				learning experience. Document everything and use this
organized into four domains: planning, acquiring and				information when moving on to the next area that
implementing, delivery and support, and monitoring.				could use governance.
Action Plan				4.Tie in governance with compensation. Management
1.Get executives on board. IT governance is a control				must lead the charge when implementing IT
management system that enables you to translate a				governance. Bonus programs for employees will have
strategic vision into practical and measurable actions. If				to change to reflect a focus on positive metrics and
the top executives don't understand and support a				key performance indicator improvements.
strategic framework for IT governance, then the				In Summary
outcome won't have value. Also, governance is				IT governance plays an important role in making
embedded in organizational culture and politics, not just				companies more successful via streamlined and
processes. Backing from the C-level team is therefore				standardized processes. Get started now to realize
critical.				long-term benefits.

ITIL

IT Governance - The Basics