Who is Using the System? Tracking in the Enterprise
For years, web sites have been measured - and valued - by user traffic. Who is looking at this site? When are they coming, and how long are they staying?…
‘Three Types’ Revisited – Shades of Grey that Matter
There is a flaw in my simplistic story of the Three IT Archetypes - if/when someone points it out, I will openly admit it, but would also insist on a…
The Contrarian Project Manager, and Other PM Lessons Learned
A collection of Project Steering Committee discussions from the past, illustrating a few common methods and patterns for PMs. The lessons learned here are applicable to many types of projects (and certainly not limited to technology efforts!)
Managing IT: Three Archetypes
I'll tell you about this visualization from a recent internal conversation, but I may end up aggravating some career IT people out there. Yes, I have massively oversimplified things -…
Change is Easy. Habits are Hard.
At technology conferences, vendor seminars, and user group, I enjoy the networking conversations - professionals looking to leverage each others' background, experience, and relationships, ostensibly to forward their own careers,…
My Ghost in the Machine, a Particular Shade (of Grey)
This story dates back to my college days, and I use it to illustrate the idea that IT people are not entirely comfortable with other functional areas of the business…
Seven Links in the Data Value Chain
Deriving information out of raw data involves seven separate, dependent processes - the Data Value Chain. Your team needs to have a multi-layered ecosystem of skills and experience required to effectively extract the most value.
How to be Taken Seriously as a Business Partner
Part of my job consists of working with General Managers & Managing Directors, talking about process and technology projects, and how we might leverage internal and external resources. I am…
IBM Marketing Message Muddle
Just an observation from the past week; I had a meeting with an IBM Sales Team, reviewing a range of products as they work to understand where IBM might help…
A Surprising Problem with SaaS/Cloud: Long-Term Cost Trends
When considering SaaS and Cloud solutions, you need to anticipate and acknowledge this important difference from on-premise systems; your ability to manage cost may be severely reduced.