What is the difference between PMOs and Project Managers

Although companies appoint PMOs and Project Managers for projects, many people still do not understand the differences between the roles. There is a lot of confusion among companies hiring candidates for Project Manager and PMO roles as well as what the PMO’s role is in managing a project. As a result, incorrect titles and responsibilities are used in job descriptions meaning candidates are hired who do not meet the correct profile for the job.

Although they are functionally similar, let’s look at the difference between PMOs and Project Managers.

What is a Project Manager?

The Project Manager is responsible for taking overall control of the project. This includes planning, execution, managing resources, hitting milestones, and project scope. They oversee the project from beginning to end to ensure it is delivered on time and within budget. As the Project Manager owns the project, they take overall responsibility for its success or failure.

What skills should a Project Manager have?

For a Project Manager, the following skills are essential:

- Leadership skills

- Approachability

- Ability to deal with people at all levels including team managers, suppliers, and customers

- Great communication skills, both written and verbal

- A good influencer

- A negotiator

- Able to deal with conflicts

- Strategic thinker with good plannings skills

- Time management

- Budget management

What are the responsibilities of a Project Manager?

As a Project Manager, you will be responsible for planning and defining the project objective. You will be the main point of contact for the client and will need to negotiate and gain the clients’ agreement, as well as the support of key stakeholders.

The role involves communicating with the Project Team where you will undertake and develop the detailed project plans, risk assessment and contingency plans, whilst always keeping your team motivated and on track. The Project Manager is responsible for the handover to the PMO once the plans are in place.

What is a PMO?

Many people assume that PMO stands for Project Manager officer. However, PMO is the Project Management Office. A PMO is a concept of Project Management that has grown in popularity over the last decade. The PMO is a group of professionals within the organisation or business who help Project Managers by monitoring and controlling the project. The PMO keeps the documentation, metrics, and project status updated and maintains the project standards.

What skills should a PMO have?

Many of the skills required by PMOs are shared with people working as Project Managers. People working in a PMO setting will also need the following skills:

- The ability to choose projects that align with the organisational goals

- Confidence to make tough decisions and provide reasoning behind it

- Identify weaknesses within the project and address them accordingly

- Be ready with up-to-date information and data

- Resource management

- Risk management

What are the responsibilities of a PMO?

The responsibility of the PMO is to gain support from stakeholders whilst communicating with the team. They will be involved in risk assessment and contingency plans whilst maintaining documentation, controlling and monitoring progress whilst motivating the team as necessary. They are also more involved in the financial aspects of the project and manage the change control process whilst developing corrective actions where necessary.

Source: itonlinelearning.com

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Understanding of PRINCE2 Methods and Certifications

Working within a framework is critical when it comes to project management. So, PRINCE2 managers and team members need clear roles and responsibilities and measurable goals, processes, and best practices. In addition, this helps managers prevent avoidable delays and expenses by keeping the project lifecycle as efficient and aligned as feasible.

PRINCE2 is a methodology that works for various projects, industries, tools, and teams. This project management technique can be rigidly applied or combined, with a hybrid project management methodology combining two or more methodologies to respond to the particular elements of a project environment.

It is critical to acquire the appropriate credentials and certification if you work in a project management methodology sector. PRINCE2 is one of just a few core certifications available. PRINCE2 Practitioner Certification is one of the renowned Project Management certification programs that are apt for professionals looking forward to gaining a comprehensive understanding of the PRINCE2 methodology, which is a process-based approach that focuses on control over the entire project, from start to finish. The following blog will help you understand “what is PRINCE2” and “why PRINCE2” is such a popular and frequently utilized technique in project management.

Let us begin the blog by answering the main question of today’s agenda, which is, “What is PRINCE2?”

What is PRINCE2?

PRINCE2, or Projects In Controlled Environments, is a well-known project management system. It’s a systematic approach to project management that emphasizes organization and control. Every project begins with a detailed project plan, each stage is organized, and any loose ends are tied up once the project is completed. But, in practice, what does PRINCE2 project management entail? Continue reading to learn about the approach’s core ideas of this methodology.

PRINCE2 was built by 150 different European organizations and launched in 1996. This breadth of knowledge and experience resulted in a straightforward yet adaptable approach to project management. As a result, PRINCE2 project management has now been custom-made to fit businesses and organizations in various industries. Furthermore, continual updates have guaranteed that the PRINCE2 methodology has remained relevant as markets, sectors, and business practices have evolved.

PRINCE2 can help individuals and companies navigate project management essentials, regardless of their size or scope. Throughout the project, it provides a framework that focuses on structure and control. Therefore, to support efficient resource management and regular progress monitoring, PRINCE2 breaks projects into manageable stages.

PRINCE2 Terminology

PRINCE2 is “product-based,” which means that project plans are focused on producing results rather than merely scheduling activities; processes cover all aspects of a project, from conception to completion. So, every project begins with a project plan, and each project stage is well-structured. Further, it establishes a common vocabulary throughout a project and establishes contract breakpoints.

Regardless of the type or scope of the project, PRINCE2 assists project managers in dividing projects so that each stage is more manageable and controllable. It’s quite adaptable and may be tailor-made to meet your individual needs. You may plan your project properly before you start working on it with the help of PRINCE2. As a result, from beginning to end, the procedure is well-structured. It also helps in completing the project by tying up any loose ends.

Now that we know the term “PRINCE2”, we shall jump into the next topic, “PRINCE2 Benefits.”

Why Is PRINCE2 Important?

PRINCE2 benefits project managers, directors, and an organization by allowing for more control over resources and managing business and project risk more effectively. Therefore, PRINCE2 represents well-established and tested best practices in project management. Following, we have listed a few of the benefits of PRINCE2.

1. Get Into the Project Management Domain

PRINCE2 is the industry standard for project management. It teaches you the skills you need to be confident in managing projects successfully. This is because PRINCE2 employs a common language, systems, and procedures. As a result, this gives you more control over your resources and risks.

2. Enhances Your Knowledge Flexibility

PRINCE2 is a best practice method custom-made to the specific needs of different organizations for all projects, including Agile delivery. Hence, whatever your typical projects entail, PRINCE2 can handle them. In addition, you can gradually create a more bespoke and subjectively appropriate approach to project management for your organization by learning as you apply and tailor the framework.

3. Improve Employment Prospects

A PRINCE2 certification is an excellent addition to your resume. PRINCE2 is a world-class international product and the industry standard for project management. PRINCE2 certification is held by more than half of those who responded to Arras People’s 2011 survey. So it’s no surprise that many companies worldwide require PRINCE2 certification for their employees.

4. A Best Practice Framework

PRINCE2 is more than just a theory. The methodology is founded on practitioners’ expertise and practical knowledge from numerous industries and sectors. It also has a track record of success, with plenty of case studies to back up the efficacy of PRINCE2 best practices.

5. Common Language

PRINCE2 is an organized and controlled start, ensuring a valid reason for the project and all people and resources are organized. Therefore, they are ready for the project with good communication among the project management team, stakeholders, and the rest of the organization.

PRINCE2 has now been in use for several decades. Therefore, it has gained widespread recognition and acceptance, with a global community of practitioners familiar with the framework’s common terminology and methods.

After understanding PRINCE2’s advantages, let us look into the “key elements of PRINCE2.”

Key Elements of PRINCE2 

PRINCE2 project management is a process-based approach that focuses on project organization and control from start to finish. That means projects are meticulously planned before they begin, each stage of the process is clearly defined, and any loose ends are neatly tied up once the project is completed. Moreover, the key elements of the methodology are principles, processes, and themes. Let us now discuss each of them briefly.

PRINCE2 Principles

The PRINCE2 principles are universal and can be applied to all projects, self-validating. They have been demonstrated in practice over many years and empowering. Therefore, they provide practitioners of the approach with increased confidence and capacity to influence how the project is managed. In addition, these principles are derived from lessons learned from successful and unsuccessful projects and provide a foundation for good practice for those involved. When managing a project, the principles are followed to meet the standards of PRINCE2. Let us now go through all the seven principles in detail:

1. Continued Business Justification

The business justification is frequently documented in some business cases in most firms. During the project initiation, some organizations may utilize business plans or similar documents as the business reason, even though these documents may not meet the requirements of a business case. Therefore, the format and formality depend on corporate standards, needs, and circumstances, and documentation may differ.

2. Learn From Experience

The PRINCE2 project management methodology places a high value on team learning. At each stage of the project, teams should note the key lessons learned and ensure that they are implemented in later stages or even future projects.

3. Defined Roles and Responsibilities

Members of the project can take on multiple roles or share a single role. Therefore, the structure of people in a project is divided into four levels: corporate, project board, project manager, and team.

4. Manage by Stages

The PRINCE2 methodology divides each project into distinct project management phases, and at the end of each phase, phase outcomes and lessons learned are recorded. This also aids in keeping track of where the project is heading.

5. Manage by Exception

Each project objective has what is known as tolerances. This establishes boundaries and defines how authority is delegated. For example, if the tolerance is exceeded, the management team must decide whether or not the tolerance is to be redefined.

6. Focus on Products

Teams must ensure no misalignment between project deliverables and project requirements. Consequently, the teams must constantly check and measure the quality of the deliverables to achieve this.

7. Tailor to Suit the Project

The PRINCE2 Methodology allows the approach for different projects to be custom-made, built on the available resources and time. Different parameters, such as the number of team members and the amount of oversight and planning for each project phase, are custom-built to meet the client’s needs.

PRINCE2 Themes

The PRINCE2 themes highlight aspects of project management that are addressed regularly as the project moves through its lifecycle. Throughout the project lifespan, for example, the business justification for the project will need to be updated and revalidated, change will occur, and risks will need to be handled. Following are the themes of PRINCE2:

1. Business Case

The project begins with a concept that is thought to have potential value for the organization. So, this subject focuses on how a concept becomes a viable investment offer for the business and how project management keeps the project focused on the organization’s goals throughout.

2. Organization

The project’s chartering organization must assign the work to managers responsible for it and oversee its execution. Because project teams are cross-functional and developed specifically for the project, standard organizational structures outside the project team may not apply. Moreover, this topic outlines the tasks and responsibilities of the temporary PRINCE2 project management team needed to manage the project properly.

3. Quality

Only a broad outline of the first concept is grasped. This subject outlines how the outline is created so that all parties know the product quality qualities to be supplied and how project management will ensure that these needs are met.

4. Plans 

PRINCE2 projects are organized around a set of authorized blueprints. However, this theme adds to the quality theme by explaining the procedures involved in developing plans and the PRINCE2 approaches that should be used. In addition, the plans in PRINCE2 are custom-made to the needs of individuals at all company levels. Throughout the project, they are the focal point for communication and control.

5. Risk

Projects usually carry a higher level of risk than regular operating operations. Therefore, this theme focuses on how project managers deal with uncertainty.

6. Change 

This subject outlines how project management evaluates and responds to concerns that may influence any of the project’s baseline aspects (its plans and completed products). Therefore, unexpected general problems, demands for adjustment, or instances of a product failing to match its specifications are examples of issues.

7. Progress 

This subject focuses on the plans’ long-term viability. Therefore, the theme outlines the approval procedure for plans, monitoring actual performance, and the escalation process if things don’t go as planned. In conclusion, the progress theme will define whether and how the project will move forward.

PRINCE2 Process

The processes describe a progression from the pre-project activity of getting started to the project lifecycle stages and the final act of project closure. Therefore, each process includes a suggested activities, products, and responsibilities checklist. Following are the procedures of PRINCE2:

1. Starting Up a Project

Before the project begins, the very first procedure of the project is aka the Pre-Project Process. First, the project’s goals are defined, forming a project management team. Moreover, the responsibilities involved in creating the project brief and stage plan for the pre-project stage are project managers and executives.

2. Directing a Project

Authorizing project stages and administering the project from start to finish (by Exception) are the main functions of this particular PRINCE2 process. Consequently, the Board of Directors for the Project is responsible for functioning in this domain.

3. Initiating a Project

The project has officially started in this “Initiating a Project” process. The project’s products define (including quality, time, cost, risk, and resources.) Moreover, roles responsible for Project Initiation Documentation (including Project Plan & Business Case) include project manager and executive.

4. Controlling a Stage

Each project stage monitors the project status and controls it with corrective actions/exception escalations. In addition, roles are responsible for communicating project-related information to stakeholders: Manager of the Project.

5. Manage Product Delivery

Checkpoint Reports are used to report on the execution of Work Packages and the creation of scheduled project products to the Project Manager. Again, the Team Leader is the responsible person here.

6. Managing a Stage Boundary

The End-Stage Report and Stage Plan are used to report on the current stage’s performance and plan the following stage (and whether to continue the project.) So, the board of directors for the project is responsible for looking after the managing stage.

7. Closing a Project

Responsibilities are accountable for completing the project with an end project report and a Lessons Learned Report. Consequently, the Board of Directors is responsible for the project.

After understanding the “Key Elements of PRINCE,” let us switch our attention to “PRINCE2 Roles.”

Roles Under PRINCE2 Methodology

PRINCE2 is one of the most widely used project management methodologies today. PRINCE2 is based on the concept of project roles. Therefore, the method specifies nine filled roles, even if the same person fills multiple roles. The following are the roles under the PRINCE2 methodology:

1. Executive

The executive secures project funding and maintains the project’s business case and justification. However, they accept the project’s deliverables and focus on the project’s benefits to the organization or the program or portfolio that the project is a part of, similar to a “project sponsor” in other methodologies. So, the executive appoints the project board and project management team.

2. The Senior Use

This represents the organization or people who will use the PRINCE2 project’s product or service. Those who will affect by it directly. The customer and the user may be the same. In addition, the senior user ensures that the Project Board respects the user’s needs and that these are specified in the project.

3. Senior Supplier

The suppliers are all individuals and organizations who carry out the project work, i.e., those who create the project’s deliverables. It consists of internal (the project team) and external (suppliers). It may also include those who will support and maintain the products after the completion of the project.

Firstly, the senior supplier represents the suppliers’ interests. Secondly, suppliers typically want to be fairly compensated for their efforts and receive a positive reference for future work. In addition, work satisfaction ranks high on the list as well.

4. Project Manager

The project manager oversees the project’s planning, execution, controlling, and closure phases. So, project managers form a project team and keep track of its progress. In addition, they make a project plan that includes a timeline and a budget and communicate with the project team and customers.

5. Team Manager

The Team Manager is a lower-level manager in charge of the project’s deliverables daily. They are responsible to the project manager. They may have a large project team supporting them or do all of the work themselves, but they are the technical experts.

The team manager creates work packages, which are then assigned to project team members for completion. A series of work packages is transformed into a management stage.

6. Project Assurance

At predetermined intervals, Project Assurance provides an independent assessment of project progress. The Project Board commonly fills this role, which must be independent of the Project Manager. The Project Board may, however, appoint an independent Project Assurance team. Moreover, this team is responsible for keeping the project on track with business assurance, user assurance, and supplier assurance.

Now, we shall get to know more about “PRINCE2 Certification.”

PRINCE2 Certification

Any project manager’s goal is to complete projects on time, within budget, and within scope. So, PRINCE2 walks you through a project’s lifecycle stages, giving your project structure and a common language. In addition, it embodies the “how-to” of project management. It is adaptable, scalable, and can be customizable to meet your specific needs.

PRINCE2 is based on the tried-and-true experience of project management practitioners worldwide. In conclusion, it provides the themes, principles, and processes needed to deliver successful projects of any size and complexity.

Why PRINCE2 Certification?

PRINCE2 Certifications, or Projects in Controlled Environments, Version 2, are among the most popular Project Management certifications worldwide. One of the most significant benefits of certification is improving your project management skills. Rather than being an instructional manual, it emphasizes understanding and embodying a set of project management principles.

This PRINCE2 teaches you how to successfully manage multiple projects across the board by utilizing logic and processes. As a result, the PRINCE2 certification is now a globally well-known certification with over 1,000,000 professionals. It has a wide range of roles and sectors and 18 languages spoken in more than 150 countries.

Now, the following pointers shows some reason that proves why PRINCE2 certification is necessary:

◉ PRINCE2 is a popular credential that can broaden your career prospects in project management and help you move into senior roles

◉ Enhances your project management skills and showcases your commitment to your chosen field of project management

◉ Acquire the ability to evaluate your teammates better and educate them to manage projects successfully

◉ Gain monetary benefits, better assignments, and enhances your career opportunities

◉ Learn about managing projects and how to work in a project environment by implementing a globally-recognized method

◉ Become a part of a fast-growing industry with more than 1,000,000 PMP certification holders worldwide

◉ Helps you to contribute to your company’s growth, and performance and add value to your organization

◉ Equips you with the deep knowledge to efficiently & effectively execute any project 

◉ Provides a roadmap for businesses to finish projects within scope, timeframe, and budget

◉ Provides a fresh perspective on projects and how they fit with the organizational business strategy

◉ Improved communication and better utilization of business resources

◉ Enhanced effectiveness in delivering project deliverables consistently

◉ Increases agility and stability of ongoing business-critical projects

How to Get PRINCE2 Certified?

PRINCE2 certifications are widely famous as the leading project management qualification for project management professionals worldwide. Therefore, it’s no surprise that many aspiring project managers are eager to learn PRINCE2 and advance their careers. So, whether you’re a seasoned project manager looking to brush up on your skills or a newcomer to the industry, we’re here to answer any questions you might have about PRINCE 2 and PRINCE2 project management.

PRINCE2 Foundation

This certification introduces the PRINCE2 method and aims to confirm that a person is familiar with and understands the PRINCE2 method well enough to implement it in a PRINCE2-enabled environment. Moreover, professionals who want to take up Practitioner certification, which is the next level, require this certification as well.

PRINCE2 Practitioner

This certification is for project management practitioners who want to advance their careers and improve their knowledge of the PRINCE2 Methodology. So, the PRINCE2 Practitioner certification exam assesses a professional’s ability to manage non-complex projects across all streams.

PRINCE2 Agile

The PRINCE2 Agile qualification is of two levels: Foundation and Practitioner. PRINCE2 Agile teaches the fundamentals of combining PRINCE2 with agile methodology. This allows for scalability as well as integration with corporate management processes. In addition, this certification is mainly for project management professionals who already have PRINCE2 credentials and are looking for additional guidance on using the agile methodology. This certification is appropriate for industries of any domain and scale. Above all, it offers scalability and the ability to integrate with corporate management processes.

We at Invensis Learning will provide 4-Days live Instructor-led PRINCE2 Certification accredited by AXELOS and provide live online training and PRINCE2 Certification Exam cost. In addition, the two PRINCE2 project management certifications levels – PRINCE2 Foundation & PRINCE2 Practitioner will be covered in training. 

Know the Requirements

Eligibility Criteria

The PRINCE2 Foundation certification exam has no prerequisites.

To sit for the PRINCE2 Practitioner exam, you must have passed any of the following exams:

◉ PRINCE2 Foundation

◉ Project Management Professional (PMP)

◉ IPMA Level C® (Certified Project Manager)

◉ Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) IPMA Level A® (Certified Projects Director)

◉ IPMA Level B® (Certified Senior Project Manager)

◉ IPMA Level D® (Certified Project Management Associate)

Who Should Attend?

Jobs that can benefit from PRINCE2 certification include:

◉ Project Managers

◉ Aspiring Project Managers

◉ Project Board members

◉ Product Delivery Managers

◉ Project Support Staff

◉ Operational Line Managers

◉ Team Leads / Team Managers

To gain the required knowledge and requirements, you have to take up training from any trusted bodies. However, as already mentioned, we at Invensis learning will provide training for PRINCE2 Certification. In addition, the PRINCE2 Certification training cost is approximately 700 USD to 1500 USD. So, for more details, please refer to the training schedule given below. Then, select your preferred date and enroll in the PRINCE2 course.

Invensis Learning offers a live virtual instructor-led corporate training program tailored to enterprise teams looking to train their employees on specific aspects of their job processes or responsibilities. So, our expert certified trainers will enhance your learning curve and enable your teams to use their skills to meet industry standards through corporate training.

Attend the Exam

Exam Format

The following is the exam format for the PRINCE2 Foundation:

Exam Duration	60 Minutes
No. of Questions	60
Passing Criteria	55%
Exam Type	Closed Book

The following is the exam format for the PRINCE2 Practitioner:

  

Exam Duration	60 Minutes
No. of Questions	60
Passing Criteria	55%
Exam Type	Closed Book

Exam Cost

Following is the exam format for the PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner:

◉ The exam cost of PRINCE2 Foundation 6th Edition is around USD 363

◉ The exam cost of PRINCE2 Practitioner 6th Edition: is USD 488

Renewal and Maintenance of credentials

PRINCE2 Practitioner Re-certification

Within three to five calendar years of the issue date, you should renew your PRINCE2 5th Edition Practitioner certificate. You can do this by taking a re-registration examination set at the same level as the Practitioner examination.

This re-registration certification allows you to demonstrate your dedication to professional development. As a result, it also demonstrates the worth of your PRINCE2 knowledge to employers, peers, and colleagues. In conclusion, the re-registration examination consists of an exam paper set to the same standard as the Practitioner examination and is based on the PRINCE2 Manual, 5th Edition.

The following is the format of the PRINCE2 Practitioner recertification exam:

Exam Type	Objective Testing
No. of Questions	Three questions: 10 items per question, each worth one mark
Passing Criteria	17 marks or more are required to pass (out of 30 available): 55%
Duration	One hour’s (60 minutes) duration, no additional reading time

Candidates may use the official printed hard copy of the Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2 5th Edition Edition guide. 

Source: invensislearning.com

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The Fully Credentialed Data Science Professional

For several years the popularity and importance of digital credentials have been growing.  Many professionals, particularly in the Information Technology (IT) industry or organization, have earned dozens.

However, like the people that earn them, digital credentials are not homogeneous.  Some signify completion of education.  Others require passing an exam.  Further examples represent hands on experience delivering value to an organization.

In the context of data science, there are two major types of certifications that carry digital credentials.  These have equivalents in similarly technical professions, such as IT architect.

The first is product certification.  These are awarded by major software and cloud providers (a.k.a. “hyperscalers”) to applicants who demonstrate knowledge of data science or specifically machine learning in the context of that provider’s application(s) or technical stack through passing an exam.  A hiring organization requiring skills within that ecosystem can be confident that the candidate understands the product(s) and terminology with which they would be working and has been educated in the basics of data science and/or machine learning.

These are not to be confused with the second type, which is a platform agnostic, professional certification.  Awarded by The Open Group at three levels – Certified, Master, and Distinguished Data Scientist – these demonstrate not only gaining and maintaining knowledge through education but also the application of skills and a methodology to deliver business outcomes.  Through the earning of one or more of these certifications, a candidate can demonstrate to a potential employer that he or she has real-world experience at a given level, not just technically but also in business acumen and working with team members and stakeholders.

It may be tempting to ask, “which type is more important?”  But that should really be thought of in the same light as picking a favorite child – inappropriate.  Rather, the two types are inherently complementary with minimal overlap but significant combined value.

Consider a realistic but hypothetical scenario.  A data science team has an opening that requires mid-career experience within a specific cloud environment.  The hiring team or manager can very quickly find fully credentialed professionals by looking for a combination of Open Certified Master Data Scientist and the applicable “hyperscaler” data science or machine learning certification.  Not only will the candidates understand the tools with which they will be expected to work, but they will also have demonstrated experience successfully executing a data science methodology and deploying solutions professionally.  Further, the professional could advance to a more senior position and become an Open Certified Distinguished Data Scientist, while maintaining his or her “hyperscaler” certification.

It is worth noting that data science is a team sport and that a well-designed team is not exclusively made up of data scientists but also data analysts, data engineers, and data architects.  This same approach to becoming fully credentialed works for them too.

The major cloud providers have equivalent “hyperscaler” certifications for these roles, some software providers offer application certifications, and The Open Group offers Open Certified Architect (Open CA) and Open Certified Technical Specialist (Open CTS) paths, the latter of which has Business Analysis, Data Engineering, and Data Platform specialties among many others.

Building a team of fully credentialed data science professionals helps to ensure the smooth and proper execution of the chosen methodology within the preferred infrastructure, while also objectively demonstrating organizational excellence to attract incremental talent and/or customers.

Source: opengroup.org

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Sitting Down with John Linford- Security & OTTF Forum Director, The Open Group

Recently we reached out to John Linford, Security & OTTF Forum Director, for The Open Group, to discuss his role, industry advice, updates within his Forum and lots more. Thank you again to John for his time and for giving us an expansive look into his Forum at large. Please see the full interview below:

Please can you tell us how long you have been in your role and what you enjoy most about it?

I joined The Open Group in June 2019, coming from San Jose State University where I taught economics. While teaching, I contributed to creating the Open FAIR ™ Risk Analysis Process Guide, which served as my main introduction to The Open Group. I immediately fell in love with the engaging discussions involved in creating that Guide and working closely with industry experts to do so.

I still enjoy that aspect of my role the most – working with individuals so knowledgeable is incredibly rewarding when we can align on ideas and on how to present them. Getting to that alignment can be challenging, but it is never boring!

What has your journey with The Open Group been like so far?

My journey with The Open Group began with Open FAIR. I learned about the Standards to assist Security Forum Chair Mike Jerbic with a course he was teaching at San Jose State University while I was completing my master’s in economics. This led to my becoming Open FAIR Certified and eventually to me acting as primary author of the Open FAIR Risk Analysis Process Guide.

After a series of conversations with The Open Group President and CEO Steve Nunn, I was fortunate enough to then become Forum Director of both the Security Forum and the OTTF, and I have thoroughly enjoyed helping along the various projects and activities in these Forums.

I had the unusual experience of being in my role for only about 6 months before COVID-19 shut down travel and changed the way we work – just when I thought I had things figured out, I had to completely change my approach.

Are there any new updates within your Forum that you can share?

The Security Forum is working hard on updates to the Open FAIR Certification Program to ensure it aligns with the newest versions of the Open FAIR Standards. We are also making excellent progress on an initial Zero Trust Reference Model Snapshot and are considering “promoting” a couple existing documents to act as the basis for a Certification Program – this idea is in its very early stages, and we welcome input on it.

The Open Trusted Technology Forum is actively working to solicit feedback on the O-TTPS Certification Program from Certified Organizations. We intend to utilize this feedback to improve and/or clarify relevant documents. We are also beginning a collaboration project with the Security Forum to offer guidance on quantitative supply chain risk management, leaning on the

O-TTPS and Open FAIR Body of Knowledge.

Can you tell us about any exciting updates planned within your Forum?

Both the Security Forum and the OTTF are diligently working on updates to their respective certification programs (Open FAIR and O-TTPS, respectively).

The Security Forum is also now working on mapping its existing publications to describe how they work together and to identify where gaps occur. This will allow collaborations with other Work Groups and Forums of The Open Group as we work to fill these gaps and/or rectify divergent thinking. We expect these efforts to fit extremely well with efforts on the Digital Portfolio of Standards and foresee many opportunities for engaging conversations on security topics throughout The Open Group.

What are you most looking forward to for the year ahead?

Outside of seeing the launch of the updated Open FAIR and O-TTPS Certification Programs, returning to traveling and attending industry events has been extremely pleasant –it is hard to believe how much I missed having engaging conversations in person. I am greatly looking forward to attending and presenting at more events.

Is there any advice you can give for those looking to start in the industry?

Learn everything you can and don’t think you know it all – this is not a field that takes a break or slows down. Threat agents are constantly learning and evolving; technologies are constantly changing; and attacks are becoming more sophisticated. Participation in organizations such as The Open Group allows conversations with industry leaders who are keenly and actively following industry trends and changes and can offer unique perspectives on events as they unfold.

If you could give advice to your respective self before starting in your role, what would it be?

Embrace templates and take the time to make and/or revise them as you notice repeat tasks. Creating a detailed Project Charter that is consistent across efforts allows work streams to begin far more efficiently and ensures participants are aligned not only on the project concept but on the goals and methods that will be used for success. Taking a bit more time at the beginning of these efforts results in work occurring far more quickly when it does get going.

Source: opengroup.org

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How to Crack ITIL 4 Foundation Certification Exam 2022?

You want to prepare for the ITIL 4 Foundation exam and pass it the first time you take it. Understanding ITIL 4 Exam Concepts is important, but you must know the ITIL 4 Exam pattern to feel completely sure. So, this blog entails some amazing tips and tricks that can help you pass the ITIL 4 foundation exam.

What is ITIL 4 Foundation Certification?

The ITIL 4 Foundation certification introduces an overview of the ITIL framework. It allows candidates to view ITSM as an end-to-end operating model for developing, delivering, and improving technology-enabled products and services. Candidates who need a fundamental understanding of the ITIL framework, want to use ITIL to improve ITSM, or whose organization has adopted ITIL can benefit from the certification. The ITIL 4 Foundation course introduces participants to the ITIL framework, with a particular emphasis on the following topics:

◉ Key concepts and guiding principles of the ITIL 4 framework

◉ Understand the Service Value system and the four dimensions of Service Management

◉ Knowledge of the link between ITIL 4 and other practices such as Agile, DevOps, and Lean

◉ ITIL management practices and more

Who Should Get ITIL 4 Foundation Certification?

ITIL 4 Foundation is appropriate for individuals who need a fundamental understanding of the ITIL framework and how it can be utilized to enhance the quality of IT service management within a firm. The certification also relates to IT professionals who work in an ITIL-adopted organization and must be aware of and contribute to the entire service improvement program.

The ITIL 4 Foundation certification is intended for anyone working in IT who wants to learn about IT Service Management and how to deliver business value. Anyone who wants to improve their ITIL v3 certification and knowledge.

Job roles that can benefit from ITIL 4 Foundation course include, but are not limited to:

◉ IT Professionals

◉ ITSM Managers

◉ Individuals working in the areas of IT (Digital, Product, Development)

◉ Service Managers

◉ Database Administrators

◉ Software Professionals

◉ Service Process Owners

◉ Individuals starting their journey in

◉ Service Management

◉ Existing ITIL qualification holders

What is ITIL 4 Foundation Exam?

ITIL 4 was released by AXELOS in early 2019. It is the most recent version of ITIL’s evolution, the standard set of practices designed to assist organizations in their digital transformation. ITIL 4 is a complete IT services model for delivering and operating technologically enabled products and services. As a result, IT operations teams can play a larger role in overall business strategy by adhering to ITIL concepts.

The ITIL exam is a foundational certification that assesses your general understanding of ITIL concepts. It discusses the key elements, concepts, and terminology used in the ITIL service lifecycle, such as the connections between lifecycle stages, the processes used, and their contribution to service management practices. Following is the exam format of the ITIL 4 Foundation exam:

◉ Type: Multiple Choice Questions – 40 questions

◉ Duration: 60 Minutes (1 hour)

◉ Result: 26 out of 40 (65% pass mark)

◉ Open book: No

◉ Language: English

How Difficult is the ITIL 4 Foundation Exam?

Statistics show that nearly 80% of people pass the exam every time. The exam isn’t difficult, but it does necessitate thorough preparation. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t plan ahead of time. If the test isn’t difficult, it’s not easy. Therefore, to pass, you must have the necessary resources.

Official and online resources can be used to prepare for and practice exam content. So, use the right resources and prepare thoroughly to ace the exam. In addition, you can enroll in the Invensis Learning ITIL 4 Foundation certification, which will help you advance your career.

Tips on How to Crack the ITIL 4 Foundation Exam

There are numerous resources available for preparing for the ITIL 4 Foundation exam. However, because this ITIL 4 Foundation certification is quite difficult, you must exercise caution when selecting resources. Make certain that the resources you’ve chosen are appropriate for your level of understanding. Following are some of the tips to assist you in clearing the ITIL 4 Foundation exam:

Work Efficiently

Begin by becoming acquainted with the ITIL 4 Foundation certification examination framework. Then, prepare for the exam using official sample papers and practice questions. Finally, keep track of the time allotted for ITIL 4 Foundation practice exams, so you don’t miss the deadline. Moreover, a major cause of exam failure is a lack of time and the provision of a preliminary exam. As a result, it is necessary to practice as much as possible.

Discover the Modules of Capability and Lifecycle

Although intermediate ITIL certifications necessitate a deeper understanding of each lifecycle and capability module, your foundational knowledge should be solid. With ITIL 4 Foundation Training, you can learn the fundamentals and comprehend each stage of the ITIL lifecycle and capability modules. In addition, you should be familiar with abbreviations and jargon at all times.

Thoroughly Read and Comprehend the ITIL 4 Foundation Books

The Office of Government Commerce has the book for sale. The five ITIL 4 Foundation modules are set up like a lifecycle, with each module covering a step in the process. So, buying the whole suite is cheaper than buying each module separately. Moreover, there is a PDF version of the ITIL book. It’s best to give yourself enough time to study the material thoroughly. Only then will you be capable of understanding the question and giving the right answer.

Keep the Keywords in Mind

If you want to pass the test, you must correct the keywords. ITIL keywords include service strategy, design, transition, and implementation, linked to other ITIL model keywords.

Study Only ITIL

Many people respond based on current or previous organizational practices, which can backfire during the examination. When studying for the ITIL 4 Foundation level exam, concentrate on ITIL processes and best practices rather than your previous experiences. Above all, the ITIL 4 Foundation exam assesses your understanding of ITIL processes, functions, and concepts.

Take Mock Exams

Attend practice tests and prepare to score more than 26 out of 40. This will boost your confidence before taking the final ITIL exam. Start with the easy questions when you arrive for the exam on the scheduled date. Then, mark your answers following the instructions.

Additional Hints to Ace the ITIL 4 Foundation Exam

Following are some helpful hints to help you make the most of the class and ace the exam:

1. Investigate all of your options to find what you’re looking for. Begin by becoming acquainted with the subject matter. It will assist you in getting up and running as soon as the course begins.

2. Don’t be afraid to ask questions during the training—there will be plenty to think about. If you’re still unsure, please ask again. Moreover, it is critical to understand the concepts to avoid being stumped by exam questions.

3. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t understand a concept right away. Students may begin to learn the subject as the course progresses. In other cases, the material is not completely covered until the end.

4. Take copious notes, especially on ideas that challenge you. It will aid you in clarifying your understanding and highlighting concepts you may have overlooked previously.

5. Make use of real-world examples. Don’t be afraid to inquire about the applicability of ITIL 4 to your workplace. Your instructor will use real-world examples, and sharing your experiences will encourage and benefit you. When taking the exam, remember to answer questions from an ITIL perspective.

6. You will have the chance to take a practice exam. Don’t worry too much about the details; try to answer each question correctly. In addition, review the incorrect questions with the group to better understand what went wrong. The ITIL 4 app may assist you in preparing for the certification exam.

7. Don’t give up if you’re having trouble answering the questions. Before the exam, you can go over the things that are giving you the most trouble. However, avoid changing your answers throughout the exam because your gut instinct is usually correct. Only revise a response if you are certain you were incorrect.

Source: invensislearning.com

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Project Schedule Management: How to Plan, Develop, Maintain & Control?

In every organization, projects are an essential method to build value. Running an organization with a lack of ideas and no proper schedules planned for projects would lead to failure. No matter what the size or scope of your project is, the project schedule articulates when each activity should be done, what is already done, and the sequence in which things need to be finished. In the present business environment, each organization ought to have the ability to manage and schedule with close-fitting budgets, resource scarcity, and the most recent technology patterns. This article discusses Project Schedule Management in detail and explains how you can plan, develop, maintain, and control the schedule of any project. 

What is Schedule Management?

Schedule management is a procedure that requires the establishment of policies and documentation for maintaining, developing, managing, and controlling the schedules for time and resources for the completion of the project. The strategic benefit of the schedule management process is, that it will monitor and manage the schedule throughout the project.

The procedure of scheduling begins with the projects that are expected to deliver according to the requirements of the stakeholder. Schedule Management includes the technical work that generates productivity and brings in change that handles aspects such as risk management and stakeholder management.

Project Schedule in Project Management? Explained!

A project Schedule is a technique that imparts what work should be performed, which resource of the organization will perform the work and the time spans in which that work should be performed. The project schedule ought to reflect the majority of the work related to handing over the task on time. Without a complete schedule, the project manager will be not able unable to communicate regarding costs and resources that are important to deliver the project.

Some software allows project managers to track project schedules, resources, budgets, and project-related assets in real time. The project schedule can be updated and viewed by colleagues related to the task and keeps everyone keeping everybody everyone well informed on the overall project status.

Project Schedule Planning in Project Management

The procedure of building policies, methodology, and project documentation gives direction and guidance on how the task timetable will be overseen all through the project. The intention of a project schedule is to organize and focused based on the advancement of the Schedule Management Plan.

The project plans should consider the following aspects,

The planning of the project schedule is an essential activity that incorporates identifying the project activities, sequencing them, and defining objectives for those activities alongside the project schedule management plan. As relevant as the project management scheduling ability is by all accounts, competency ought to obtain with significant experience.

Develop Project Schedule in Project Management!

Developing Project Schedule refers to planning the timing and sequence of project activities.

A project schedule assigns work to be done and indicates due dates to complete the tasks and deliverables. The project schedule portrays:

1. Time (duration) estimates for all project tasks

2. Start and finish dates for the tasks

3. Names of staff resources assigned to complete the tasks

4. Sequence of tasks

A noteworthy segment of a project schedule is a work breakdown structure (WBS). The project schedule is built to reflect the work breakdown structure.

Project scheduling is the key to ensuring the original project plan, and the final project outcome is at least close enough to call the project a success. Developing project schedules helps the project team to keep the necessary activities on track. PMBOK’s Schedule Management knowledge area explains the critical processes in developing a project schedule.

5 Steps That Help to Develop a Schedule in a Project

Project Management has always been fascinating in how things work and how to make things work better. Thus, a project schedule comes through the planning phase of any project. Below mentioned are the means that are expected to schedule a project:

1. Define Activities

Define activities lets project managers use the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and a deliverables diagram to establish and start the assignments that are essential to finish on time. Thus ensuring they are aware of what activities have to be included in the plan.

2. Sequence Activities

Sequence activities help to determine the relationship between the project activities. The ordering of the tasks and identification of dependencies (Finish to Start, Finish to Finish, Start to Start, Start to Finish) is the next step.

3. Do Estimates

The project team has the activities defined and the tasks in a breakdown structure; the following stage is to choose the time utilization to complete the project. To calculate a schedule, having an estimation of what to do, how to do it, and the essential part of the equation is to what extent should a project take to finish.

4. Determine Dependencies

Projects aren’t simple always. On a regular basis, a project can’t be started until the one in the process is finished. These are called task dependencies. Consequently, your schedule will need to reflect on these connected projects. As project supervisors, you can likewise pursue a methodology by monitoring your schedule to suit these related projects.

5. Assign Resources

The last step is to Assign Resources to finish your planned schedule. It picks what resources you should complete the given assignments on time. As a project management team, you need to have the right resources and their time ought to be considered to plan the assignments.

When you have intended to formulate the schedule for a project, get feedback from your manager and roll out the essential changes that have to be finished. You’ll need to estimate the project plan before you move on to executing the plan. Once the project is in progress, it’ll help you compare the planned versus actual dates. Consider the task’s goals that assist you to set up a schedule once you complete the process.

How to Develop a Project Schedule?

What To Do?	How To Do It?
Determine the tasks to be placed in the schedule	Refer to the tasks identified in the work breakdown structure.
Determine the relationships between the tasks	Identify tasks that must be completed before other tasks can begin. Identify tasks that can be done while other tasks are being performed. - A network diagram (a precedence diagramming method) can be used to diagram the dependencies.
Assign each task to a specific staff	This establishes ownership of the task. Assigning the right person to the right task is one of the most critical factors in a project’s ultimate success.
Estimate the amount of effort required for each task	Work with individual team members or others who have experience with this type of project. Base the estimate on an assumed level of skill. Document assumptions used in estimating.
Consider the other variables that go into building the schedule	Example variables to consider: - Project Constraints - Assumptions - Lead and lag time (delay) of materials - When, where, or how the task must be performed - Project risks - The realities of vacations, meetings, discussions, staff interactions, and any ongoing responsibilities team members may have. - Staff Training time
Build a time reserve into the schedule for contingencies and unforeseen events	A contingency is a specific provision for unforeseeable elements that could cause schedule delay. How much time contingency to allow can depend on: - The degree of acceptable risk for delays - The completeness of the project definition - How well the work will be managed A good rule of thumb for schedule contingency is 20%, but a project can include more or less based on the factors above.
Identify the project’s critical path	The critical path is a project management technique that analyzes what activities have the least amount of scheduling flexibility (i.e., are the most important) and then predicts project duration based on the activities that fall along the “critical path.” Activities that lie along the critical path cannot be delayed without delaying the finish time for the entire project. If the critical path exceeds a required deadline, review methods to shorten the critical path.
Check to see if the staff is over-allocated	If the staff is over-allocated, figure out a way to level the team so they are assigned the right amount of work. Possible actions - Modify the schedule to accommodate the constraint - Provide additional resources for the task - Reduce task or project scope - Make any adjustments to the staffing plan Caution: There is an overhead cost for bringing new staff up to speed. Not all team is truly interchangeable. The skill level of the new person may affect the time to complete and the quality of the work. Contract staff may need more oversight.
Repeat steps 3 and 5-8 until a baseline is established.	Developing the project schedule is an iterative process.
Place the schedule information in a Gantt chart	Place the tasks, milestones, relationships, staff assigned, duration, and work estimates in a Gantt chart to show the detailed timing of the project. A Gantt chart graphically represents a project by showing each task as a horizontal bar whose length is the time needed to complete the task. Various project management tools can generate Gantt charts. Other formats can be used to display the schedule information based on the needs and preferences of your customer.

Maintain the Project Schedule in Project Management

Amid the essential project management abilities, booking can influence, either decidedly or unfavorably, the most territories inside a task. Inadequate project schedules can create hindrances to your project schedule management thus creating an interruption for individuals and production equipment leading to project failures.

Here are a few techniques that can help you maintain your entire project schedule:

Planning About the Project 

A successful project is all about planning. A well-designed project plan will save time, cash, and a considerable measure of cerebral pains once the undertaking is dispatched. To begin with, creating a project plan, should focus on the following components:

Once the project plan is ready, present it to all the board members to utilize it as the roadmap during the project.

Maintain the Project on Track

A clear and well-defined project plan can help guide a project team throughout the project. A constant review, revising, and monitoring of the project is also necessary from the start until the end of the project.

Utilize Project Management Software

Regardless of how detailed the project plan is and how prepared you are, project managers face a lot of challenges. Gratefully, technology has made overseeing everything from online life records to client connections more powerful and advantageous. Project managers likewise prefer to get access to software that has made their lives simpler.

Time Management

For every project management team, it’s always an advantage to be skilled in effectively managing time in the workplace. While there are varieties of methods that a project management team could use to deal with the opportunity, here are a few of the best techniques to follow:

1. Delegate Tasks

2. Prioritize your tasks

3. Run more effective meetings

4. Learn to say ‘no.’

5. Write tomorrow’s task today

Celebrate the success

Once the project completes by implementing the right strategies, the ultimate opportunity for the project management team is to celebrate. A well-known approach to observing is by going out to have a team dinner or having a few celebratory drinks. Rewarding the team with certification or thanking the team in person is also a good sign.

“Control Project Schedule” in Project Management

Control of a Schedule in Project Management signifies the approach to monitoring the status of the project, and consequently, updating and managing the project changes to the scheduled baseline to accomplish the goal.

This procedure helps to decrease the threat of delivery slippage when handled well. Besides monitoring the status, the schedule control process updates projects and manages the change in the schedule so that project managers can achieve the goal.

Know the Principles of Control Schedule Process

◉ The developments not only should be responded to but instead, be controlled proactively. The project managers need to act quickly before the changes impact the complete schedule.

◉ The control schedule process deals with the abilities of the stakeholders approaching them with guidance to work that the project managers have to accomplish according to the type and duration of the work.

◉ Knowing the actual performance of the schedule is essential. The control schedule process permits project managers to adopt the status of the project schedule and validate the required changes and manage it.

The below-given figure depicts the inputs, tools, techniques, and outputs of this process.

Control the Project Schedule: Techniques

1. By utilizing Earned Value Management (EVM) the schedule variance and schedule performance index employ to survey the scope of schedule changes.

2. In schedule control, it is essential to decide if the schedule variation needs corrective action. For instance, if there is an interruption in the project that leads to a negative impact on the schedule plan and thus requires immediate action.

3. Utilize the critical chain scheduling method; you can compare the amount of defense needed and the remaining security to regulate the schedule status.

4. The utilization of measurements of Schedule performance to evaluate the amount of variation to the original schedule baseline. The aggregate float variance is likewise a vital module to assess project time performance.

5. Essential aspects of project schedule control incorporate deciding the reason and level of change with respect to the schedule baseline and choosing whether it requires corrective or preventive action.

An Agile Approach to Control Schedule

Agile Project Management methodologies have been growing in adoption. Several organizations are now engaging their projects with a combination of traditional project management and Agile Project Management tools.

While agile techniques provide many useful progress indicators, Control Schedule is concerned about:

◉ Organize demonstrations for correcting the process to improvise when required.

◉ Re-prioritizing the rest of the work design.

◉ Regulating the rate where the projects are delivered, approved, and acknowledged in the given time per emphasis.

◉ Managing genuine changes as they happen.

Source: invensislearning.com

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What is Strategy Management for IT Services?

Strategy management for IT services is a process of defining and maintaining the perspective, position, plans, and patterns (which constitute the 4 Ps) of an organization with regards to its services and management of those services. The purpose of strategy management for IT services is to make sure that a strategy is defined properly, maintained, and managed adequately to achieve its purpose.

Objectives of Strategy Management for IT Services

The objectives of strategy management for IT services include the following:

◉ A statement that clearly expresses the vision and mission of the service provider, which is reviewed on a regular basis. This constitutes the perspective of the service provider.

◉ A proper definition of the services that will be provided by the service provider, to what market spaces they will be provided to, and the strategies by which the competitive advantage of the service provider will be maintained. This constitutes the position of the service provider.

◉ The production, communication, and maintenance strategic planning documents of the service provider. This constitutes the plans of the service provider.

◉ A definition of how exactly the service provider will consolidate itself to allow the business objectives to be met. This is a pattern of the service provider. An organization works because of a pattern of action.

Scope of Strategy Management for IT Services

◉ The responsibility of strategy management falls on the executives of an organization, and it allows them to set the objectives of the organization. The executives also have to mention exactly how the organization will meet those objectives and prioritize the investments required to meet those objectives.

◉ The strategy of an organization is not limited to a single document or department. The organization’s overall strategy is broken down into separate strategies for each business unit in the organization.

◉ It is the duty of strategic management of the organization to make sure that the individual business strategies for the business units are consistent and linked to one other.

◉ Strategy management for IT services also has to ensure that the services and their way of management support the overall strategy of the organization.

◉ The IT strategy and IT service strategy are usually derived from the business strategy of the organization and validate the business strategy as well.

◉ The IT strategy is capable of determining the technical feasibility of a strategic objective and the level of investments that would be needed to meet that objective.

◉ Based on these reports, the organization will be able to decide whether or not the objective should be included and whether it should be prioritized.

Basic Concepts of Strategy Management for IT Services

It is important first to understand that a service strategy is not the same as an ITSM strategy. The following differences exist between them.

◉ Service Strategy

This is a strategy provided by the service provider to define and execute the services which meet the business objectives of the customer. The Service Strategy is a subset of the IT strategy for an IT service provider.

◉ Service Management (ITSM) Strategy

This is the plan for identifying, implementing, and executing the various processes used to manage services that have been identified in a service strategy. The ITSM strategy will be a subset of the service strategy in an IT service provider.

Value of Strategy Management for IT Services

The objectives of an organization are defined by its strategy. This includes how it will meet the objectives and how it will know that the objectives have been met.

If the objective is not defined, the organization can only react to the demands of its stakeholders. They would not have the adequate capabilities to assess each and every demand and understand the impact of each demand on the organization.

A strategy that is well-defined and managed ensures that the organization’s resources and capabilities are aligned in such a way that their business outcomes can be achieved. It also ensures that the investments made by the organization match its intended development and growth.

Strategy Management Benefits

The following are a few benefits that strategy management provides:

◉ It ensures that all the stakeholders involved are represented in making decisions regarding the appropriate direction in which the organization should head.

◉ Ensures that all the stakeholders should discuss and agree on the objectives of the organization and the means by which resources, capabilities, and investments are prioritized.

◉ It ensures that resources, capabilities, and investments are managed in a suitable manner to achieve the required strategy.

Strategy Management for IT services provides the following benefits to a service provider:

◉ It makes sure that an appropriate set of services are present in its service portfolio.

◉ Ensures that all the services have a clear and focused purpose and all the employees in the organization of the service provider are aware of their role in achieving that goal.

◉ It encourages suitable levels of investment, which leads to cost savings and increased levels of investments for key projects. It also makes sure that investment priorities are shifted to ensure that effort and budget are expended on the areas which have the highest level of business impact.

Process Activities of Strategy Management for IT Services

The key process activities are:

1. Strategic Assessment

◉ To analyze the internal environment and identify the current strengths and weaknesses.

◉ To analyze the external environment and identify the opportunities and threats and find out how they will develop in the future.

◉ Defining opportunities in a market space where a service provider can deliver the necessary value to the customer.

◉ To establish the objectives that need to be achieved.

2. Strategy Generation, Evaluation, and Selection

◉ To determine perspective: It defines the overall direction, values, belief, and purpose

◉ To form a position: It defines how the service provider can be differentiated from the other service providers.

◉ Create a plan: A strategic plan will identify how the organization will go about achieving its objectives, vision, and position.

◉ Adopt patterns of working: The patterns which are believed to be efficient and effective in achieving objectives by the executives should be adopted. Ways of dealing with change so that the strategy adapts to and evolves along with the organization and its environment should be adopted.

3. Strategy Execution

◉ Service management processes assist the service provider to achieve the necessary alignment. This is done between the services and the required outcomes on a continuous basis.

◉ It helps to align the assets with the outcomes desired by the customer.

◉ Optimizes the Critical Success Factors (CSFs)

◉ It helps to prioritize the investments

4. Measurement and Evaluation

◉ Continual Service improvement activities measure and evaluate the achievement of strategy over a period of time.

5. Expansion and Growth

◉ After the organization has become successful by using its strategy, it will be in a better position to deliver services to the existing market spaces and expand into new customers and services.

Challenges of Strategy Management for IT Services

The following challenges are faced by Strategy Management for IT services:

◉ Usually, strategy management for IT services is conducted at an inappropriate level in an organization. It needs to start from the top, with the senior executives driving it and each organizational unit following them. These units should follow them by generating a strategic, tactical, and operational plan. Which is also a subset of the organization’s strategy.

◉ There can be a lack of accurate information about the external environment.

◉ The absence of support from the stakeholders can prove to be a challenge.

◉ A lack of appropriate tools or lack of understanding regarding the usage of tools and techniques required.

◉ Failure to match operational targets with strategic objectives will result in operational managers struggling. They won’t be achieving targets that are not aligned with the strategy.

Risks of Strategy Management for IT Services

The risks faced during strategic management of IT services are:

◉ A governance model which has flaws can allow managers to decide whether to implement all the aspects of a strategy. Or, to deviate from the strategy for short-term goals.

◉ Short-term priorities can sometimes override the directives of the strategy.

◉ Making strategic decisions in the absence of key information.

◉ Choosing an incorrect strategy that does not match the goals of the organization.

◉ Strategies are often seen as an exercise that happens once a year. And has no effect on what happens for the rest of the year.

Source: invensislearning.com

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