Previously, we've discussed the importance of automation and orchestration in optimizing the value of the virtualized environment. As the name implies, automation focuses on eliminating manual tasks to speed deployment, minimize errors and reduce costs. Orchestration goes a step further by coordinating and integrating automated tasks into highly efficient workflows.
To make all that work you have to understand what those workflows should be. If your IT operations are reactive and inefficient, automating them isn’t going to help that much. That’s why it’s important to conduct an assessment that identifies the business expectations for IT and how well the IT infrastructure and strategy are meeting those expectations. The findings are used to create an improvement roadmap designed to optimize IT operations and gain maximum value from automation, orchestration and cloud-based tools.
Gartner’s IT Operational Maturity Model can serve as a guide in this process. The research firm has defined six operational maturity levels based upon how effectively IT has aligned people, processes, technology and management to support business strategy and drive innovation:
- Survival. With no focus on IT infrastructure and no formal IT strategy, the role of IT is to keep the lights on.
- Awareness. The organization recognizes the role of IT and operations in business processes and strategy and begins to take action.
- Committed. The shift to a managed environment begins, including the automation of day-to-day tasks, while placing greater focus on customer satisfaction.
- Proactive. The implementation of formal policies and processes across the entire IT environment are used to improve efficiency and quality of service.
- Service-Aligned. IT is managed like a business. IT services, processes and architecture are integrated with business strategy and operations.
- Business Partnership. IT improves the value and competitiveness of the entire organization.
All four components of the IT Operational Maturity Model must advance together from one level to the next. Each level should be attained in one to three years in order to achieve incremental benefits and accelerate ROI. Longer implementation cycles fail to keep up with changing technology and business goals.
The road to IT operational maturity is not an easy one. Many organizations have a very complex IT environment and manage the various components of the environment in silos. The lack of coordination and collaboration makes it difficult to have real-time visibility into business services, as well as the control required to manage the IT environment. As a result, implementing automation becomes a major challenge, causing disconnect across the IT organization.
There are steps organizations can take to overcome these challenges, get on the road to operational maturity, and begin converting IT assets into business value. Gaining full, holistic visibility into IT operations is a critical first step. This enables administrators to identify the most time-consuming, labor-intensive tasks and projects.
Best practices should then be defined for executing tasks consistently and efficiently across the IT environment, which involves automating as many of these tasks as possible and leveraging managed services strategically. To ensure compliance with best practices and automation guidelines, audits should be conducted regularly. Progress must be measured, and the IT infrastructure and strategic plan should be constantly evaluated.
Of course, the viewpoint of an objective third party can be invaluable throughout this process. Contact Technologent to learn more about our automation and orchestration assessments.
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