ACM SIGUCCS Computer Services Management Symposium, Successful Decision Making in IT management  John Bucher, Director Information Technology, Oberlin College  Robert Paterson, Chief Information Officer, Salem State College  H. David Todd, Vice Provost and Chief Information Officer, University of San Diego

ACM SIGUCCS Computer Services Management Symposium, Abstract: Senior IT managers make key decisions that can greatly impact their chances of success.  What are the opportunities and pitfalls to be aware of when making decisions?  How do we continually reinvent ourselves to remain effective in our jobs A panel of CIOs will provide guidelines for assessing opportunities and share what they might have done differently.

ACM SIGUCCS Computer Services Management Symposium, Categories of decisions  Technical  Emotional  Communication  Budget  Ethical  Personnel  Career Relative Importance

ACM SIGUCCS Computer Services Management Symposium, How do you decide ?  What is the basis for your decision?  What are your ground rules for making decisions?  What is the role of your moral compass?

ACM SIGUCCS Computer Services Management Symposium, Too SlowToo Quick Procrastination Indecision “Analysis paralysis” “Ready, fire, aim” Impulsive, compulsive Arbitrary Range of decision making

ACM SIGUCCS Computer Services Management Symposium, When do you make the decision?  Do you have all of the right information?  Do you know how much latitude you have?  How are people expecting you to handle decisions?  You’re the boss - they want a decision.  You gained their trust, now keep it.

ACM SIGUCCS Computer Services Management Symposium, How do you keep your views fresh?  Reinvent yourself  Talk to others, ask for their input  Read, read, read  Slow down to fully analyze the situation(s)  Learn from experience, but respect each new circumstance  Pinch yourself occasionally

ACM SIGUCCS Computer Services Management Symposium, Presenting your decisions  How? What mechanism?  To what audience? In what order?  Developing the decision; involving others’ input  When to “go to the mat” with an issue  How widespread should it be?

ACM SIGUCCS Computer Services Management Symposium, Small decisions  Who makes those decisions?  Small decisions… sometimes big consequences  Getting “off the dime”

ACM SIGUCCS Computer Services Management Symposium, How to handle “Bad” Decisions  Define a “bad decision”  Admit when you’re wrong  Take the responsibility for your staff  Discuss what needs to happen to change the situation  Keep your boss in the loop

ACM SIGUCCS Computer Services Management Symposium, How do you improve your likelihood of success ?  Solicit input  Listen to everyone  Develop common values

ACM SIGUCCS Computer Services Management Symposium, How do you know you’ve made successful decisions?  No news is good news  Acknowledge the focus of the IT committee  Read the campus newspaper  Anticipate the next question

ACM SIGUCCS Computer Services Management Symposium, Categories of decisions  Technical  Emotional  Communication  Budget  Ethical  Personnel  Career Relative Importance