IT Professional Perspectives, Discussions, and Recommendations Steven K. Wall IT7833 IT Strategy, Policy and Governance

IT Strategy…  “…IT strategy articulates the enterprise’s intention to use IT … based on business requirements” (Institute, 2007). Along with these requirements, Margaret Rouse, in an article for SearchCIO, describes that, “An IT strategy should cover all facets of technology management, including cost management, human capital management, hardware and software management, vendor management, risk management and all other considerations in the enterprise IT environment. Executing an IT strategy requires strong IT leadership; the chief information officer (CIO) and chief technology officer (CTO) need to work closely with business, budget and legal departments as well as with other user groups within the organization” (Rouse, 2012). IT7833 IT Strategy, Policy and Governance

IT Policy…  During my research I found that the University of Michigan attempted to explained what IT Policy was, as well as why it was being implemented. On the UM website in the, IT Policy Development and Administration Framework section from the office of the CIO, it states, “Information technology policies articulate the university's vision, strategy, and principles as they relate to the management and use of information and information technology resources, while supporting core academic, research, and teaching and learning missions. Further, IT policies also ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, promote operational efficiency, and manage institutional risk by specifying requirements and standards for the consistent management of IT resources across the university.” (Office of the CIO, 2011) IT7833 IT Strategy, Policy and Governance

IT Governance…  IT Governance is defined in the book IT Governance Using COBIT and ValIT as the ability “… to understand the issues and strategic importance of IT so the enterprise can sustain its operations and implement the strategies required to extend its activities into the future.” (Institute, 2007) In an article written by Karen D. Schwartz for CIO.com, she defines IT Governance as, “… putting structure around how organizations align IT strategy with business strategy, ensuring that companies stay on track to achieve their strategies and goals, and implementing good ways to measure IT’s performance. It makes sure that all stakeholders’ interests are taken into account and that processes provide measurable results. An IT governance framework should answer some key questions, such as how the IT department is functioning overall, what key metrics management needs and what return IT is giving back to the business from the investment it’s making” (Schwartz, 2007) IT7833 IT Strategy, Policy and Governance

Summary Discussion and Recommendations  What is an IT Professional?  Professional- Expert and specialized knowledge in field which one is practicing professionally. (Wikipedia - Professional, 2012) IT- The use of computers and telecommunications equipment to store, retrieve, transmit and manipulate data. (Wikipedia - Information Technology, 2013) With these two definitions as a guideline, one can state, an IT Professional is one who is an expert or one who possesses specialized knowledge in the use of computers and telecommunications equipment to store, retrieve, transmit and manipulate data, who is practicing professionally.  In an interview entitled The future of the IT profession for ubiquity.com, Peter Denning, a computer scientist and prolific writer, states, “The domain of permanent human concern is nothing less than communication and coordination among human beings. Information technology has become a permanent part of the medium in which these human activities take place”(Denning, 2000). In the same way human beings have a permanent need for health and law professionals, IT has established it self as a permanent fixture in the human experience. It will be the desire of society to maintain the channels of communication between human activities and will be the up to the IT profession to organize in order to provide professional solutions for these activities. IT7833 IT Strategy, Policy and Governance

Summary Discussion and Recommendations cont.  How does IT Strategy, Policy, and Governance apply to the IT Profession?  In order for the IT Profession to establish it’s self as a professional organization that can provide solutions to maintain and resolve issues within the channels of communications between human beings, the profession has to be consistent. The understanding of IT Strategy, Policy, and Governance and how they affect the IT profession are the locking mechanisms that organize the IT Profession. In the architectural and engineering profession there are codes. Codes used to maintain a common quality of service and safety for the public. IT Strategy, Policy, and Governance are the codes for the IT Profession. When an organization uses common attributes across all areas, the result for society is a better understanding of the what, when, and how of the solutions provided.  How can IT Professionals stay up to date with the ever changing definitions of IT Strategy, Policy, and Governance in the fast pace realm of Information Technology?  The first step to staying up to date within a dynamic field such as IT is to understand the profession of Information Technology is a practice. IT Professionals must understand the concept of “practicing” IT. At the speed at which technology emerges, professionals will never master the profession. IT Professionals must not be clouded by solutions that work well today because this solution may be outdated tomorrow. In order for the profession to operate in a dynamic environment, it too must be dynamic. This can be achieved by education, training, and organizing. When a professional organization works as one unit, information is free to flow fast and smoothly to all individuals practicing within the profession. IT7833 IT Strategy, Policy and Governance

Bibliography  Denning, P. (2000, March). The future of the IT profession an interview with Peter Denning. (J. Gehl, Interviewer) ACM Digital Library. Retrieved April 5, 2012, from  Halstead-Nussloch, R. (2013, January 3). IT7833 IT Strategy, Policy and Governance - Toolkit for IT Professionals. Marietta, GA, United States of America.  Information technology. (2013, March 31). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 14:08, March 31, 2013, from  IT Governance Institute. (2007). IT Governance Using COBIT® and Val ITTM: Student Book, 2nd Edition. Rolling Meadows, IL, United States of America.  Office of CIO. (2011, May 4). Retrieved January 30, 2013, from University of Michigan:  Professional. (2013, March 28). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 14:08, March 31, 2013, from  Rouse, M. (2012, August). IT strategy (information technology strategy). Retrieved January 30, 2013, from SearchCIO:  Schwartz, K. D. (2007, May 22). IT Governance Definition and Solutions. Retrieved January 30, 2013, from CIO: IT7833 IT Strategy, Policy and Governance