In the hustle and bustle of business, managing IT systems are complex and often benefit from implementing a common framework, this can help drive IT toward becoming a real enabler in supporting business objectives, whether running a busy helpdesk or managing a scalable software development project.

A common framework allows all staff members to cooperate in and understand the process as an entity within itself and how it compares and contrasts with other business functions. The ability to react effectively as well as work proactively are both elements of these frameworks and whilst each has their own unique traits they focus on formalising procedures to ensure the appropriate aspects of strategic planning, implementation, ongoing support, regulatory compliance and information security are addressed.

A number of management frameworks suitable for technology management exist, including:

CMMI

Led by the Software Engineering Institute and Carnegie Mellon, the Capability Maturity Model Integration framework is aimed to provide process improvements in software engineering projects.

Learn more about CMMI.

COBIT

Control Objectives for Information and related Technology by ISACA and the IT Governance Institute are currently at version 4.1. COBIT provides guidance for IT governance for delivering value from information technology.

Learn more about COBIT.

CoPR: Core Practice

Core Practice (CoPR), offers a best practice way of working without too much overhead, aiming for Copper not Gold, framework implementation.

Learn more about CoPR.

FITS

The Framework for ICT Technical Support is aimed at the academic environment and is designed to provide a consistent and reliable information communication technology infrastructure.

Learn more about FITS.

ISO/IEC 20000

A certification scheme for companies to prove competence in a worldwide standard for for IT Service Management, aiming to provide an integrated process approach for managed services.

Learn more about ISO/IEC 20000.

ISO/IEC 27001

ISO 27001, is an international standard describing the requirements in achieving a consistent and auditable information security management system.

Learn more about ISO/IEC 27001.

ITIL

Information Technology Information Library is currently on version 3 which really broadens, even generalises, the framework which provides a set of best practices for managing areas of information technology.

Learn more about ITIL.

MOF

Microsoft Operations Framework, currently at version 4, offers practical guidance for managing IT activities.

Learn more about MOF.

PRINCE2

Projects In Controlled Environments is a process based method designed for project management and often found at the core of many technology projects.

Learn more about PRINCE2.

Six Sigma

Probably more familiar in a manufacturing environment the ideas behind Six Sigma can be generalised and implemented into a business management strategy utilising metrics for assessing performance.

Learn more about Six Sigma.

TQM

Total Quality Management focused on the importance and constant awareness of quality in business processes.

Learn more about TQM – awaiting link.

Further Reading

Useful organisations offering guidance to the IT professional include:

• British Standards Institution (BSI)
• British Computer Society (BCS)
• Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)

A useful forum for people working in service management is itSMF. You can also learn a lot from The Service Management Society who aim to be the voice of the service management professional – learn more about SM-S.

For people working in Enterprise Content Management AIIM is a great place to be, whilst the Institution of Analysts and Programmers (IAP) aims to provide a voice for computer analysts and programmers.

Related

• The three factors of IT Management
• The basics of formal Information Technology Management
• Useful Technology Publications
• 10 Reasons Why You Should Consider A Content Management System
• SFIA: Skills Framework for the Information Age