3rd party solutions are always an option to take/recommend if:
1. The company needs the solution right away.
2. Developing it in-house would take time.
3. The cost to develop such solution will be higher than buying one.
Below are several factors to consider in evaluating 3rd party solutions:
1. Fit - always do a gap analysis between what the process needs versus what the solution can do. How customizable is the solution to adjust to some business specific requirements?
2. Cost - consider the overall cost of the solution. From the consultants, servers, technical and user trainings, and the solution itself. Check with the higher management if they are willing to sacrifice short term returns for long term gains.
3. Support - maintenance and support is always the key for a solution to work well. After-sales and implementation support has to be included and evaluated well before buying.
4. Compatibility - consider how compatible is the technology used by the 3rd party solution to the current technology you have? How long does it take learn it? Always take into account this compatibility factors since it can create additional cost and technical problems in the future if it's not handled well.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Thursday, November 15, 2007
IT Manager : Motivation (Getting the job done)
How do you make people do things you want done? How do you make them shine and get the most out of them? Often times we face productivity issue in our workplace. Projects are not done on time, qualities of their output are low, processes are not being followed, Tardiness are prevalent and policies are taken for granted.
The challenge of having a Team is to maintain their passion in works that they do best while at the same time have fun doing so.
Below are several things to do to keep the fire burning:
1. Do talk to your staff, hear what they have to say. - this is very important for you to take the general feel of the situation. Take note on issues that affects everyone. Convey what you feel and you think is the right thing to do. Be open to any concerns that affects you as a leader.
2. Formulate a plan of action - With the intelligence you gather, To do's has to be created in order to address the issues and concerns that was raised. It may also help if you seek some guidandce from HR team or other departments if there are issues that affects them.
3. Share the plan of action with your staff - This is very important because team members also has to agree on the actions that will be taken, have them involved by getting their feedbacks and inputs.
4. Implement the plan of action - Implement and monitor the progress of each members, get their constant feedback and send them updates. The plan of action is agreed as a department so they deserve to know the progress they're making.
5. Reward you staff - Night out, Movie weekends, Beach Days, Gift Certificates, Pizza Trips, Salary Increases. Nothing beats recognition especially if people know that they deserved it and they are part of the solution.
The challenge of having a Team is to maintain their passion in works that they do best while at the same time have fun doing so.
Below are several things to do to keep the fire burning:
1. Do talk to your staff, hear what they have to say. - this is very important for you to take the general feel of the situation. Take note on issues that affects everyone. Convey what you feel and you think is the right thing to do. Be open to any concerns that affects you as a leader.
2. Formulate a plan of action - With the intelligence you gather, To do's has to be created in order to address the issues and concerns that was raised. It may also help if you seek some guidandce from HR team or other departments if there are issues that affects them.
3. Share the plan of action with your staff - This is very important because team members also has to agree on the actions that will be taken, have them involved by getting their feedbacks and inputs.
4. Implement the plan of action - Implement and monitor the progress of each members, get their constant feedback and send them updates. The plan of action is agreed as a department so they deserve to know the progress they're making.
5. Reward you staff - Night out, Movie weekends, Beach Days, Gift Certificates, Pizza Trips, Salary Increases. Nothing beats recognition especially if people know that they deserved it and they are part of the solution.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)