Management of IT
Management of IT is different compared to other management functions in an organization. One major reason that contributes to this difference is the rapid change in technology and innovations witnessed every other day. As a result, there will always be a change on how to approach particular management issues with each new invention. As Ruben put it and agreed by Barton, high-level managers in other departments like Loan Operations can easily work on any job at any management level, from the bottom up the hierarchy regardless of the number of years one worked at that level; most processes remain the same which makes it easy to work or manage. However, when it comes to IT, most personnel are specialists in different areas based on emerging new technologies. It’s difficult for a manager to specialize in all sectors and keep up to date with fast changing technology. For that reason, IT managers require the input of technical specialists who are up-to-date with changes in their areas like Security, Programming/Systems development, Database, Networks, IT infrastructure and customer support to efficiently perform their managerial duties. These are critical people with in-depth knowledge or details of the importance of various IT components to system users.
The key lesson Barton learn was how vast, complex and detailed IT is. Despite purchasing a range of books that covered different areas of technology like programming, project management and networking, after a few hours of reading on TCP/IP, he could not tell how this was important in delivering system functionalities to users and how it would help him manage. This called for a change in his assumptions on management. Only specialists, or crew of nerd sidekicks, as Ruben calls them, can understand the critical functions of TCP/IP layers or security to management systems.
CIO IT depth knowledge
The CIO does not necessarily have to understand all things about IT to manage, but what is crucial is to have the general knowledge of the different structures that make up an IT department. The CIO should then have the general idea of the critical role played by each structure, from computer networking, systems development, database management, Security, to IT infrastructure, and customer service support. All these are linked together to ensure efficient functioning and delivery of IT services.
Work Cited
Traducciones”Leadership”Chapter3 http://traduccionesatin.blogspot.co.ke/2013/10/chapter- three-cio-leadershipmo
