The IT Managers Council at Cornell University Fall CSG Meeting Carnegie Mellon University September 23, 2005

September 23, 2005 Common Solutions Group Fall Meeting 2 A Decentralized Environment Central IT FTEs at Cornell: 36% of total IT FTEs (2005) Central IT Budget at Cornell: 37% of total IT budget (2003)

September 23, 2005 Common Solutions Group Fall Meeting 3 Cultural and Organziational Context Current and historical communication and coordination issues across IT at Cornell Gap between central and local IT  “CIT is isolated from the schools seemingly by institutional design.” Mutual respect at the individual level  But not at the organizational level Impact on relationships from recent data compromises

September 23, 2005 Common Solutions Group Fall Meeting 4 Effects of the Gap Ineffective purchasing Duplicate technologies Additional staffing Significant impact beyond IT  Administrative Systems

September 23, 2005 Common Solutions Group Fall Meeting 5 Bridging the Gap How to fundamentally change the relationship between central and local IT?  Help central IT better understand unit priorities  Work with units to articulate needs and understand costs  Align expectations  Build bridges of communication  Develop and promote standards Maximize IT’s effectiveness and value at Cornell

September 23, 2005 Common Solutions Group Fall Meeting 6 IT Workforce Planning History  University hiring freeze; beginning of WFP 2003  IT WFP surveys  External Team Review for Administrative Computing  IT WFP Recommendations  Gartner Estimates

September 23, 2005 Common Solutions Group Fall Meeting 7 IT WFP History (continued) 2004  Director of Distributed Support position created  ITMC established  Unit plan templates sent to Deans and VPs

September 23, 2005 Common Solutions Group Fall Meeting 8 IT WFP Unit Plan Reviews Purpose Process Next Steps

September 23, 2005 Common Solutions Group Fall Meeting 9 IT Managers Council Recommendation Improve communication  Intra-unit  Across IT units Share information Plan together Help CIT and units become less isolated from each other

September 23, 2005 Common Solutions Group Fall Meeting 10 What does this have to do with WFP? By communicating, sharing information, and planning together… IT will become more effective and efficient ITMC an “enabling recommendation” IT WFP creates opportunities for dialogue

September 23, 2005 Common Solutions Group Fall Meeting 11 ITMC Structure One representative from each major college, administrative unit, and CIT area  A large, eclectic group!  You’re not “you”, you’re your unit  Theoretically, all Cornell IT is in the room

September 23, 2005 Common Solutions Group Fall Meeting 12 Goals of the ITMC Collaborate on substantive issues that will benefit Cornell as a whole, e.g.:  Improve software and hardware acquisition  Develop directed IT training  Recommend standards

September 23, 2005 Common Solutions Group Fall Meeting 13 ITMC Committee Evolution: Focus on Tangible Change Software Acquisition IT Professional Development IT Best Practices ITMC Operational Procedures Committee Makeup

September 23, 2005 Common Solutions Group Fall Meeting 14 ITMC Challenges The makeup of the group  Various levels of authority within the units  Different sized units The size of the council Intra-unit communication  Don’t count on it!

September 23, 2005 Common Solutions Group Fall Meeting 15 How it’s Going… Somewhat formal, but becoming more comfortable  More people speaking up/better discussions Outstanding trust issues? Decision-making Engagement  People are still showing up! We’re still figuring it out

September 23, 2005 Common Solutions Group Fall Meeting 16 Questions