FromTheRanks™ of IT» From The Home of IT Management Fundamentals™

Author Note: A Brief Apology …

DP Harshman — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:49:31 +0000

… for no recent posts being posted. Hello. You haven’t heard from me for a while, vis a vis new posts. So I wanted to let you know that I have NOT fallen off the end of the earth. Among other things, my wife and I have been “house hunting”, including but not limited to: [...]

NotesOn: IT HR – Part III – IT Organization Models

DP Harshman — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 00:46:32 +0000

The structure of an IT organization is absolutely fundamental to the success of that organization. Good or bad, it provides the foundation for and sets the tone and tenor for all else IT that follows. Being traditionally under IT HR’s purview, CIO’s / CTO’s often spend a good deal of time with them as regards the best layout of their IT team. However. Based on direct experience and years of observation it is clear that the concept behind the business version of KISKIF is unknown, for too many IT organizational charts leave “something” to be desired. ... Click on the title to read more.

NotesOn: IT Fundamentals – The Seventh Triple Constraint

DP Harshman — Fri, 28 May 2010 22:17:28 +0000

Everyone familiar with project manager roles (IT or otherwise) knows, or knows about the so called Triple Constraints (i.e. six have been identified and are widely accepted). However. There is a Seventh Constraint, a critical one to project success that, if ignored or slighted, can lead to project failure. ... Click on title to read more.

NotesOn: IT Fundamentals – Simple Defined More

DP Harshman — Fri, 28 May 2010 21:33:53 +0000

After posting “NotesOn: IT Fundamentals – Simple Defined”, a discussion and debate began on Herding Cats (the site referenced in my post). The result of that series of comments is quite educational and furthers the searching look into the definition of “Simple”. ... Click on the title to read more.

NotesOn: IT Fundamentals – Simple Defined

DP Harshman — Wed, 12 May 2010 23:06:15 +0000

In various articles for this website I have used, and will continue to use, the word “simple”. But using it without clarifying what it defines is a fundamental error, as “simple” must be understood within the context of its subject. It must be appreciated and accepted (or not) within the framework of a discussion area. ... Click on the title to read more.

NotesOn: IT Fundamentals – Cost Cutting IT Is Not The Answer

DP Harshman — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:14:38 +0000

It seems nearly every IT related website, IT related seminar and IT consultancy firm broadcasts, loudly and as often and as authoritatively as possible, that Cost Cutting is absolutely imperative to an IT group’s survival in these economic times. However. Nothing could be further from the truth. This is incontrovertibly, as in 100%, the least right answer. I absolutely guarantee that Cost Cutting as a sole or major strategic initiative ... Click on the title to read more.

NotesOn: IT HR – Part II – Characteristics of IT Newbies

DP Harshman — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:30:25 +0000

IT, more than any other industry I know of, has and requires people with a certain amount of “attitude”. Attitude, a certain status as a “prima donna”, can be a good thing. As long as it is managed and focused. Allowed to “run amuck”, however, and there can be problems. ... Click on the title to read more.

PPT: From Idea To Execution Working With IT

DP Harshman — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:57:36 +0000

PowerPoint presentation "From Idea to Execution – Working With IT" presented by DP Harshman on February 23, 2010 to the University of Denver-College Of Business course on Innovation Design and Execution. … Click on the title to read more.

NotesOn: First-Aid Kit for IT Management Plans

DP Harshman — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 01:30:27 +0000

In “NotesOn: A Quick-Fix IT Repair Plan” I mentioned that there are only three steps necessary to begin to get an IT group’s house in order: 1. Stabilize, 2. Simplify, 3. Standardize. To do these steps you need to generate a plan or plans. But. What happens when a plan goes awry? ... Click on the title to read more.

NotesOn: IT HR – Part I – Recruiting - Attributes of a Successful Hire

DP Harshman — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 02:18:00 +0000

We have all seen HR IT job postings for junior developers (beginning programmers) that state a BS is required but an MBA is preferred. Yet, the Degree may be the least important attribute of a successful IT team member. Does that surprise you? ... Click on the title to read more.