IT Governance – 5 Myths to Break this New-Year

 IT Governance or Governance of Enterprise IT has now become the buzz word during every corporate discussion. This is not surprising considering the fact of economic recession and global meltdown. 

People tend to relate  Governance as an element of bureaucracy/executive control that adds additional layers of approval and processes to tighten screws.

It is imperative as Employees / Staff in the Organization to understand  and break some common myths to fully support Governance Initiatives and this article is first on the series aimed at providing those insights before your start on the IT  Governance Journey.

Myth 1: Governance is Top Leadership`s Business and Bureaucratic

While it is true that IT governance is the responsibility of the board of directors and executive management,  it consists of the leadership, organizational structures and processes  that Organizations IT sustains and extends  the organization`s strategies and objectives. The Whole Objective of Governance is to ensure that the entire organization is in alignment with the Corporate Strategy & Objectives and everyone has a role to play to ensure successful business outcomes. Bureaucracy does not pay off in the long run and the Executive Council & Board are candid of the fact to set the Right Strategic direction & leave it to the Steering committee to manage the implementation of effective Governance.

Myth 2 : Governance needs a Formal Framework like Cobit to get envisioned results

Though Cobit provides clear guidelines and best practices for effective Governance, it all starts with the Overall Intent and approach of the Organization embarking on Governance

Best Practice Frameworks aid your Governance but not serve as substitute for the ownership/drive and commitment of the Senior Executive Management to provide seamless delivery utilizing optimum resources and managing risks to achieve planned business outcome.  So you need to have the Basic 4 elements 1. Leadership  2. Organizational Structure 3. Processes  4. Management of Organizational Change (MoC) before deep diving into Best Practices.

Myth 3 : Culture of the Org can be taken for Granted once Leadership Buy-In is obtained

This is one fundamental reason that Governance initiatives fail miserably.  Though Leadership buy-in is vital, Culture of the Organization has far more impact in the overall scheme of things. What worked for one organization might not suit the other (one size does not fit all) because of various factors like Culture, Risk Appetite, Business Strategy & Leadership Style.  Substantial effort needs to be planned through a MoC (Management of Organizational Change) Program to ensure that all stakeholders understand the impact and are committed to contribute to the overall Organization`s strategy and objectives. 

 

Myth 4 : It’s all about Metrics/ Dashboards and Surveys that the Executive Council is interested

Organizations have become very good in meeting SLAs,  Operational Metrics & great CSAT ratings.  Gone are the days that meeting your agreed contractual obligations and prerogatives is sufficient to sustain momentum. Executive Board and Senior Management are interested on 5 major areas.  1. Strategic Alignment  2. Value Delivery  3. Risk Management 4. Resource Management 5. Performance Measurement.  So beyond the traditional Metrics and dashboards there is a shift of focus to Balance Score Card (BSC) &  Higher Internal Metrics for all governance areas  to continually improve and deliver agreed business Outcomes. The Ultimatum is not the numbers but achievement of planned business objectives.

Myth 5: Governance requires substantial investment & resources not aimed for Small or Medium Sized Business

Many organizations are not prepared to embark on Governance Initiatives claiming a simple reason “ Oh that requires huge investment & more resources which we cannot to afford as a small organization”.

Governance Initiatives is aimed to make your investments and efforts yield right business value and has to be embedded on your day-to-day practice. This can be done with the existing resources, leadership and org structure. It only requires the thought process to look at broader strategic objectives and how results affect various stakeholders (Customers, Shareholders, Employees & Vendors). Start simple with an Outline and then improve upon the maturity over a period of time. After all every big accomplishment starts with a single step :-)

Appreciate your feedback and comments!

BCP/DRP - Reality Check

As a Consultant, I go and do workshops and provide pragmatic recommendations on Business Service Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning for my Customers.

These become handy for real time life scenarios as well when we get to admit the fact that natural resources are not likely to be taken for granted.

In India, we have situations where there is total black out (Planned or Unplanned Outage) where you get lucky to get notice in advance or left alone to deal after the fact that a Power Grid/Transformed got distrupted. This affects Water to be transported to the overhead tanks using Motors and submersible water pumps.

Just because, we do not have the luxury, to take things for granted, we have precautionary measures and backups ready in place all days

1. Back up water is stored on a 10-12 L Storage on a daily basis to make it available under need basis

2. Inverters are prechecked for its full usage and maximum capacity and best practice is drawn to determine bear minimum usage for retention during longer periods

3. Priority check is brought in to execute mandatory services and the rest of them are either delayed or outsourced

4. Volunteers get into action, to help flat inmates for assistance of services/additional water capacity and relief measures.

I see that once we start using the Processes/Framework to our day-to-day use, we stand to walk our talk and invariably reinforce the aspects with powerful business case.

Human Element of IT

Today, we are so used to Virtualized world that the Whole of IT somehow has forgotton the human element of IT
Tool/Process and Technology are all great aids to bring about transformation of IT and Business Outcome.
However, the simple fact that Human beings are instrumental in making things happen is getting lost somewhere in our race to be the fastest ...
Value to human beings and their importance is losing its shine because, we have become more commoditized.
It is time, we retrospect and give the people due recognition and empathize with their feelings and emotions....
There is so much of History that tells us that with the Power of People and their Synergy, we have made a world of difference..
After all Human Being is the most fascinating creature of this whole universe!

itSMF Singapore Chapter - EC Membership

One of the active ways of Contibuting to the IT Service Management Profession is to participate actively as Volunteer/Member to the local itSMF Chapters They give us a great opportunity to network with fellow professionals across the country and help us work in collaboration to achieve higher objectives It is a great experience and fun learning and meeting itSMF Professionals across various industry segments Look forward to share my part @ itSMF Singapore Chapter proceedings http://www.itsmf.org.sg/aboutus/executivecouncil201213.jsp

Success - Five Important Ingredients

Over the years, I have been trying to understand how few people succeed effortlesly and gain accolades/laurels at ease when there is the rest of lot are cribbing that destiny is against them.

Here are my 5 identified magic ingredients to success that I have seen working amidst all professionals across the globe.
1. Dream Big -
I think it starts here when one starts to envision how to win Big and how to roar like a lion even when you are a cat
2. Self Discipline -
This is one of the important aspect that is often ignored. It includes everything from getting up early in the morning, control of senses, ability to follow the process irrespective of outcome, doing things day-in and day-0ut whether you like it or not.
3. Attitude - It is all about Attitude!!!.
You can hire a Professional with great skills/talent (Aptitude) and you can train someone to acquire the skills needed. However Attitude is something one has to acquire and it stays intact all through the life. As the saying goes, Attitude measures the Altitude of person`s success.
4. Persistence - Quitters never win and Winners never Quit.
Believing in oneself and not giving up on things when it seem to fail is easily said than done. But the Price of Persistence makes you win against all odds stacked against you.
5. Honing Professional and Life Skills
Being adapative and honing necessary professionaland life skills(Certification,Training) are instrumental to pace one with teh growing trends/challenges and be prepared for the future.
Let me know your thoughts and suggestions from your perspective.

Go Green - Recycling

From the many disasters that had happened in this decade... We could derive a conclusion: What has happen today is the consequences of our past actions. Mother Earth has sent us threatening signs.
She has been providing us with warning and is seriously in need of our help. What can we do for Her and our future generations? Environmental Conservation is the Answer! So let's play our part in conserving the environment. We can do our part by implementation of the 3Rs
‘Reduce’ refers to decreasing the total amount of things used. With less things being used, it also translates to less waste being created. ‘Reuse’ refers to making use of the things again. ‘Recycle’ refers to making new things out of things that have already being used. Love our Earth just like how we love ourselves! Some Facts to Ponder Over - Recycling 50kg of paper = Saving one 20-year-old tree - Recycling 10kg of metal can = Saving 5.7 litres of crude oil. - Recycling 1 aluminium can = Saving electricity for 3 hours of TV time. - It takes 1 litre (0.2 gallons) of petroleum energy to produce 32 PET bottles. PET plastic bottles can be recycled to make sleeping bags, winter coats, stuffing for stuffed toys, zippers, binding bands, industrial plastics, heat sealable films, and many other things. Recycling plastic is better than producing new plastic because the process requires 50 percent less energy.
Before making a purchase, it is good to think about how the proposed item will be used and its long-term effects on our environment. Before purchasing, you should ask yourself: Is it truly necessary? Is it suitable? Can it be repeatedly used? Can it be recycled easily?
If answers to all the questions are NO, you may have to carefully reconsider if you really need to buy that item:)

The Wall Retires - Rahul Dravid

Rahul Dravid, today announced his retirement from Test Cricket after serving India for 17 years.
This legend is nicknamed Wall (Mr. Dependable) who was the most consistent Test Cricketer India has had in its Cricketing History. Recently he won the Life Time achievement award from NDTV.  With many awards and accolades to his belt, he has been a stupendous cricketer and an inspiration to youngsters to follow Cricket.  His Classic cover drives and straight drives have  been a treat to watch for years.  Overseas, he was one of the most successful batsmens scoring consistently at fast tracks and demanding situations.  More than being a stalwart, his humbleness, attitude as a thorough professional and his determination to keep trying irrespective against all odds has made this Cricketer a legend to follow.

We wish him an astounding life ahead and hope to see him mold future Indian Cricketers.

Women`s Day - 8th March

Today is International Women`s day and a good time to reflect the strength and power of the women.

As we head to the 21st Century, we can proudly say that women`s role in the society is growing by leaps and bounds. The different hats she dons on a daily basis is mind boggling.  I have been mesmerized of how influential her roles have been to one`s life and to a greater extent the society.

It is indeed a delight to watch the women as a loving Sister, adorning Mother, caring wife and leader @ Job.

With every facet, she manages here duties, diligently does tons of sacrifices and makes her home a true paradise.

Of all the roles that is replacable, the role of mother played by women stands out distinctly that the whole world is indebted.... Her role in bringing up the children as disciplined, well mannered on humanitarian grounds and become responsible citizens just gives insights on how she shapes the modern era.

Life becomes incomplete without the women and she deserves all our appreciation and complete support for years to come.

I owe a lot to 2 women in my life. One being my mother and my wife who have really made my life a memorable one. These two women continue to inspire me and I look forward to learn from them more.
Lets take resolve to care for our women, understand their feelings better and make that extra step to accept them as they are for we cannot match to the role of balance they do both in homes and jobs.

We salute the women!!!!... Keep inspiring us....

Grow Something Good

There once was a farmer who grew award-winning corn. Each year he entered his corn in the state fair where it won a blue ribbon. One year a newspaper reporter interviewed him and learned something interesting about how he grew it. The reporter discovered that the farmer shared his seed corn with his neighbors.

"How can you afford to share your best seed corn with your neighbors when they are entering corn in competition with yours each year?" the reporter asked.

"Why sir," said the farmer, "didn't you know? The wind picks up pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field. If my neighbors grow inferior corn, cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn. If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbors grow good corn."

This farmer was very much aware of the connectedness of life. His corn cannot improve unless his neighbor's corn also improves. So it is with our lives. Those who choose to live in peace must help their neighbors to live in peace. Those who choose to live well must help others to live well, for the value of a life is measured by the lives it touches. And those who choose to be happy must help others to find happiness, for the welfare of each is bound up with the welfare of all.

The lesson for each of us is this: if we are to grow something good, we must help our neighbors to grow something good


This was shared by my colleague and I wanted to share this to my group.

Spread this to your wider audience and lets grow something good :-)

Trek to Tree Top

Last Saturday, ISACA Singapore Chapter had organized a Tree Top event for the members and I decided to participate to have a flavor and make new friends

We reached venus Car Drive around 8:30 AM and filled the Registration Forms. ISACA Caps along with water Bottles were provided  and were divided in to 6 teams of 5 members each.

We slowly started walking as a group around 9 AM, in to the silent and serene part of nature where one could experience stillness.  It was a 7KM walk amidst nature/ fantastic scenic view and  above all an excellent morning workout.  The Team members from ISACA included expats from Thailand, Malaysia, India and many more countries including native Singaporeans.  It was good to talk and understand more about the hobbies/culture and lifestyles of people from different countries.  On the runway, we also saw amateur photographers who carried sophisticated cameras that could easily weigh around 10kgs. On enquiry, we found that they come every weekend to spend the morning to catch a glimpse of frogs and some rare insects. Looking at that , I felt that these guys are living life and making it rich by doing what they really loved.

Sign boards/ Milestone posts were positioned at regular intervals to measure progress and understand the time required to complete the trip.  The event also had a competion to arrive at the best Photos shot up using iPhone/Android phones during our trek. Win from our team was pretty focussed in taking click after click at some of rare sights and made sure that we had a head start to win it big :)  Ravi shared insights about how the ecosystem of Singapore worked and also provided suggestions on other natural spots to venture.
Overall the discipline and approach to give health a top priority was evident among native Singaporeans and also with people who have stationed here for years.

After about 1.5 hours, we arrived at the Tree Top with some breath taking views and fascinating scenic landscape. The team rushed to take photos of everyone and also those important tourist attraction. Sounds of Cricket was clearly heard from underneath. We then walked over the long narrow Tree Top section and started moving ahead.  We then reached slowly and steadily to our end destination.

We resumed back to our starting place within 11:30 AM and were feeling really hungry. Seema and Andrew discussed about the Job Market and perspectives around Banking for ITSM professionals.Once all were ready, Car pooling was done to take us to the Western Bar to have our Lunch. Being a Vegetarian was a challenge as the buffet did not have choices for Vegetarian. However, the organizers made sure that they had ordered a special pasta/vegetarian dish for couple of us and to be honest, it was prepared very well.

As we completed our lunch, it was time to reveal the photos that took the winning place. All of the photos shot from the teams using iPhone/Android phones were submitted to Shirley.  Dave then displayed his Photos taken during the trip on a Slide Show mode on the screen available within the restaurant. With all photos looking good, organizers decided to go for Voting System and guess what?  Team 2 and Team 5 ended in a tie. The Organizers then called both the teams in front, reran the photos once again with the members and finally picked Team 2 as winners. We claimed as 1st Runners. - This is dedicated to Win who made that happen. Overall it was a splendid and remarkable experience attending this trek and hats of Dave who  managed this whole effort seamlessly. We look forward to more such events from ISACA

Consulting - What makes it interesting?

After respite of 2 years, it is a welcome sign to get back to Consulting.  Looking back there are no regrets for the different roles that have come across before this assignment.

Doing a Process/transformational Consulting is a different ball game for the simple fact that you make or break based on how your meet the Customer expectation day in and day out face-face.

Over the period of years, what matters most is not only your technical or functional expertise but how you moderate/facilitate your workshops/client engagements. This means  taking control  of the situation and achieving the desired outcomes of the meeting.

Culture, Seniority and above all baggage that Customers carry have a significant impact on the way you would be challenged/ridiculed or even cornered.

The art to deal with it would be to change the styles of operation tactfully without offending the audience but making the point firm.  Everyone wants to be heard and like to position themselves as experts and the least they expect is advising them that they are wrong.

To get them nod to your view point requires skillful play to get it verbalized through them without they being aware that you created a plot to trap them get to the agreement.

Communication (Verbal and Non-Verbal Cues), listening skills and ability to present the point lucidly and succinct are key attributes to win at work place

Making the Customer and Consultant collaborate like Partners and  establishing personal rapport will help in a long way to achieve win-win results.  At the end of the day if we put ourself in to the shoes of our customers and understand the view point, it makes so much easy to design/package and deliver to make Customer delight a reality.

Living away from Family

After a long time, the situation has come to be away from my family for work @ another Country.

It is tough to get through this phase from both ends. My son who is @5 wants someone to play with him physically run around/jump and spend quality time

Thanks to Skype and othe social tools to hook up and talk to them over an hour, cracking jokes and pulling legs.

Emotions take a toll when you are away. No one to vent out your feelings/frustrations and share your moments. I have come to understand that the physical presence of you dear ones can make you quite relaxed and acts as real stress buster

Listening to the family, doing group activity with them, Going out together and above all developing the bond during family time is something that I sorely miss.

At the end of the day, it is not all about work/money. It is about spending your time with your near and dear ones/Supporting them and creating a positive and fostering environment to laugh loud, play and achieve the status of Blessed Family.

The upside aspect is that it has given me the insight and rigor to make sure I fully utilize and enjoy the time I will spend with family and make it a memorable one for years to come.

Singapore - Quick Review

I have been to Singapore earlier on a tourist visa for 3 days where we did visit the places of interest and flew back.

This time, I got an oppportunity to come on an Employment Pass for 3 months and this post is about my quick review of what this place is all about...

The City ranks very high among Citizens/Expats and Mobile crowd for 2 distict reasons. 1. Cleanliness 2. Security/Low Crime rate

This is particulary true and have observed females going about without inhibitions alone past midnight.

The Public transport is outstanding considering the tie up with MRT(Train) and SMRT buses.

People are quite cordial and helpful and everyone speaks English. But you cannot get away with "la" at the end... Ok la... :)

Rentals are pretty exorbitant and the residentship is of two types. HDB (Housing Development Board -Govt apartments) and Condos (Privately owned)

There are rooms let out for shared purpose. i.e)If you have a Master Bed Room and 2 Single Rooms , they share the Single Rooms separately and also Master Bed Room and make the agreement done

House Agents/Brokers get a month of rental as deposit and tenure is either 1 year or more. The More the tenure, better the bargaining potential. 1-2 months advance as deposit and pay in advance while occupying the posession.

China Town and Little India have domination of the respective Countries. Lot of Indian Restaurants and particularly south indian cusines are well in demand.

Work wise, people are hardworking and they are quite reserved. They (Native Singaporeans) do not socialize much with other members from foreign countries.

Weather is little humid with showers intermittently varying between 28- 32 degree Celsius all through the year.

There are lot of artificial monuments/sight seeings and less number of natural spots.. Hope to post more as I spend some time @ the Asian Hub in the days to come.