In praise of ITSM engagement models

Submitted by skeptic on Tue, 2015-03-03 08:04

When establishing the relationship with an external service provider (outsourcer), why do we document a whole operating model spanning both organisations? The whole point of outsourcing is that the supplier should be a black box, with inputs, outputs and performance requirements. What we need to define is the interface between the two entities, to ensure the operating models of each one mesh properly together. Define the connecting cogs, or the plug-and-socket - choose your analogy.

This is more efficient: we don't redundantly document processes which already exist, and are documented elsewhere. It is more effective: we focus on the gaps, specifying the requirements for change in each organisation in order to connect their operating models.

It seems this is pioneering stuff: there is very little published on what an engagement model should look like or how to develop and use it. So I built one.

The design police at Google say they'll push this site down the search rankings

Submitted by skeptic on Tue, 2015-02-24 03:52

This website has been told if I don't redesign it I will be punished by Google's search engine. #mobilegeddon

what makes a successful blog

Submitted by skeptic on Tue, 2015-02-03 02:00

While The IT Skeptic is not a hugely popular site I think it's fair to say it is a successful one. Certainly some people seem to think so: I'm often asked to comment on others' blogs or advise how to go about one.

The first question is why you blog; and hence what defines success for the blogger.

A blog serves any of three purposes:
To communicate/share.
To record ideas.

DevOpsRun: DevOps is great but what about Run?

Submitted by skeptic on Tue, 2015-01-20 07:11

Is there a bigger picture than DevOps? (I defined it here). In theory no, it encompasses the whole IT lifecycle of services. But in practice it seems to me much DevOps discourse is still Build- and Transition-centric. We can expand thinking to all of DevOpsRun.

Service Portfolio Management is more important than programme or project portfolio

Submitted by skeptic on Wed, 2015-01-14 04:41

There is a wonderful insight in ITIL that is seldom noticed and even less often understood

It is Service Portfolio Management (SPM).

the ITIL Squeeze in 2015

Submitted by skeptic on Thu, 2015-01-08 20:58

© Copyright CanstockPhoto.comAXELOS are doing a few troubling things lately, that may or may not point to an ITIL Squeeze in 2015 as AXELOS seek to capitalise on their purchase of ITIL (and the rest of the Best Practice por

je suis Charlie

Submitted by skeptic on Thu, 2015-01-08 02:48

Image

Thank-you and Merry Christmas from the IT Skeptic

Submitted by skeptic on Thu, 2014-12-25 09:46

Xmas reindeer
In this holiday season I'm sending out special thank-you to all the loyal followers of this blog

Skep's reading list

Submitted by skeptic on Wed, 2014-12-17 09:05

These are some of the books I consider REALLY important for me on the topic of managing IT

There is no such thing as NoOps: it is an awful word

Submitted by skeptic on Thu, 2014-12-11 10:27

There is no term I detest more than "NoOps". NoOps means nothing runs, which means the business comes to a halt.

"NoOps" is provocative, alienating, patronising and demeaning to those who care about Ops. There will always be a science of making it run good and safe. There will always be Ops as an activity and function and skillset. Please erase this hideous word from your vocabulary.

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