Managing the Heartbeat of Change Dave Coplin, Enterprise Strategy Consultant, Microsoft

Why Change? Every Enterprise wants: More functionality & greater agility Greater cost effectiveness Less risk IT is the key, but projects are still: Too large & complex Too disruptive to 'the business' Too expensive But why is this the case and how can we improve?

The Heartbeat of Change Enterprises and Technologies run to a set 'heartbeat' Business cycles, investment cycles, infrastructure lifecycles Development cycles, deployment cycles, support lifecycles Success waits for those that can understand and harness the rhythm of these heartbeats Maximise operability Minimise costs & disruption Minimise risk Successful change requires balancing opposing forces …

The Natural Balance of Change Somewhere between Constraints and Opportunities lies the natural balance How do you identify the balance? How can it be measured? How can it be leveraged? Focus on two areas The Enterprise itself The technology it consumes But what are the forces of change?

Barriers to Change Most Enterprises stuck in 'Big Bang' approach One big hit rather than many small ones Change is expensive Major events cost major money Too many stakeholders Single individuals can say 'no' but never 'yes' Strategic Direction 'Denial' Tactical (emotional) choices override Strategic technology directions Misperception as to capability of user base Technology is 'new' and 'difficult'

Catalysts to Change Evolving business requirements Doing more with technology More competitive marketplace Basic technology no longer seen as differentiator Speed of technology development On-line, connected ('Live') services Supportability Vendor support dictates shelf life Security vulnerabilities Fast and frequent patching So how do we balance the two?

An ECG for the Enterprise Within every organisation, natural rhythms of change exist: Hardware replacement Financial/budgetary cycles Business cycles These natural cycles provide opportunities and momentum for delivery Map out the known cycles Use as a backdrop for IT Programme Planning

Enterprise Roadmap No Fly Zone  Business Initiative 1  Business Initiative 2  Business Initiative 3  Business Initiative 4

An ECG for Technology Every technology 'product' has its own rhythm Identifying the rhythm and understanding its pattern is key The technology heartbeat is formed by 'strategic' products Identify these & obtain vendor roadmaps Face up to strategic directions made and let these dictate technology choices At this point, it’s about 'when' not 'if' A model for technology adoption …

Technology Adoption Model Time Market Acceptance Platform Launch Platform Withdrawn Hardware compatibility 3 rd party software Development tools Security patches Vendor supportability 3 rd party developer’s focus

Technology Adoption Model Time Market Acceptance Platform Launch Platform Withdrawn Hardware compatibility 3 rd party software Development tools Security patches Vendor supportability 3 rd party developer’s focus Market Acceptance 'Sweet Spot' Cost of ownership efficiencies at their peak

Replacement Launch Technology Adoption Model Time Market Acceptance New Platform 'Leap of Faith' Old Platform 'Asphyxiation' Platform Migration Decision Period

Using the Technology Adoption Model Time Market Acceptance Platform Launch Platform Withdrawn Hardware compatibility 3 rd party software Development tools Security patches Vendor supportability 3 rd party developer’s focus  Exchange 2003  Exchange 12  Exchange 2000

Hardware compatibility 3 rd party software Development tools Security patches Vendor supportability 3 rd party developer’s focus Using the Technology Adoption Model Time Market Acceptance Platform Launch Platform Withdrawn  Windows XP Prof.  Office 2003  Office XP  Office 2007  Windows 2000 Prof.  Windows Vista Prof.

Technology Roadmap Vista Professional Longhorn Server SharePoint 2007 Office 2007 LiveServer Exchange 12 Win 2000 Mainstream Support Ends XP Mainstream Support Ends  Desktop Upgrade  Messaging Upgrade  Server Upgrade

No Fly Zone Bringing It All Together Vista Professional Longhorn Server SharePoint 2007 Office 2007 LiveServer Exchange 12 Win 2000 Mainstream Support Ends XP Mainstream Support Ends  Business Initiative 1  Business Initiative 2  Business Initiative 3  Desktop Upgrade  Messaging Upgrade  Server Upgrade

Questions & Discussion