After managing Information technology systems for the last 20+ years, in a number of different size companies, I have learned there isn’t always scope, budget, or resource available for implementing formal service management frameworks.

If you do have resources available there are many very useful frameworks available (see Technology Management Frameworks) which could help formalise and proactively drive your management infrastructure.

However, especially in the SME arena, time and budget is usually very tight. So, with this in mind I have set out some of the key areas which you really should consider when managing information technology in your workplace.

These key areas including Governance, Strategic Planning, Operational Matters, Mobility, and Personal Development and each is highlighted below with a further breakdown of key sub-sections. There section will be expanded upon in future articles.

Governance

• Business Integration
• Leading Change
• Planning and Setting Strategic Goals
• Formulating Policies and Procedures
• Assessing and Reducing Risk
• Health and Safety
• Business Continuity
• User Training

Strategic Planning

• Setting and Managing Budgets
• The Value Of Keeping Records
• Planning A Technology Refresh
• Technology Areas
• Application Management
• Managed versus Self Hosted Services
• Open Source Applications versus Paid For Applications
• Understanding Licensing
• Portable Device Management
• Infrastructure Management
• Green IT
• Power Requirements
• Centralised versus Distributed Computing
• Wired or Wireless
• Backbone
• Internet
• End User Devices
• Telephony
• Virtualisation
• Virtual or Physical?
• Thin Client
• Knowledge Management
• Service Level Management
• Baseline Checks
• Maintenance Contracts
• Supplier and Vendor Management
• Data Management
• Archiving
• Data Duplication and De-Duplication
• Data Protection
• Backup
• Security Management
• Backup
• Encryption
• Password Management
• Firewall
• Dealing with Malware

Operations

• Proactive Operations
• End Of Life Management
• Safe Disposal
• Recycling
• Service Contracts
• Printer Management
• System Administration
• Asset Tagging and Registry
• Daily Checklist
• Weekly Checklist
• Monthly Checklist
• User Lifecycle Management
• Managing Backup
• Change Management
• Patch Management
• Software release Management
• Hardware Upgrades
• Reactive Operations
• Helpdesk
• Problem Management
• Disaster Strikes
• Remote User Support
• Security Management
• Managing Employee Changes
• Dealing with Visitors to the Company

Mobility

• Mobile Workers
• Home Workers
• Field Workers
• Digital Natives

Personal Development

• Time Management
• Staff Mentoring
• Specialising versus Generalising
• Training
• Certification
• Events and Seminars
• Using Social Media to help you do your job better