Most organizations have a pretty good handle on what they want from new technology. However, most organizations don’t have the expertise required to make the best decisions about new technology.
They don’t understand where technology is headed and how to plan for the future. Some have trouble examining their operations objectively, which prevents them from identifying weaknesses and considering new approaches that could help them reach their goals.
This is why organizations should conduct a third-party IT assessment before making final decisions about their IT initiatives. A third-party IT assessment is an outside evaluation of an organization’s existing IT environment and the impact of planned changes on current and future business processes and goals. In a nutshell, such an assessment answers questions about why you should invest in technology, what technology to prioritize, how much to invest, when to make the investment and how to best implement new technology.
For example, if you’re planning on investing in new security tools and services, a third-party IT assessment will help you determine the best approach for preventing a security breach. If regulatory requirements are not being met, an assessment will help you determine what technologies and processes can help minimize the risk of non-compliance. If new initiatives that could create competitive advantages and new revenue streams fail to get off the ground, an IT assessment will help you determine the reasons for failure and the role technology can play in solving the problem.
A third-party IT assessment typically includes both quantitative and qualitative analysis of technology, personnel and processes. Quantitative analysis involves collecting data about all IT systems, including cloud-based services, as well as the roles and responsibilities of personnel. It also involves measuring IT capabilities and performance, the impact of technology on business operations and productivity, and strengths and weaknesses resulting from your IT systems.
Qualitative analysis involves interviews with IT, senior management and end-users to determine expectations, identify opportunities for improvement, prioritize IT investments, and establish policies, performance metrics and business goals. Based upon these analyses, a holistic assessment and technology plan will be documented and presented to your organization.
Having an IT assessment conducted by a third party often reduces risk and wasteful spending. An outside consultant brings a fresh perspective and a level of expertise that most organizations don’t have. In many cases, current problems and potential pitfalls that in-house IT has overlooked or ignored will be identified by a neutral third party. Most importantly, a third-party IT assessment helps you make the best possible IT investments and implement best practices that increase efficiency and improve how your do business.
Before you launch a new IT project or make upgrades to existing technology, contact Technologent for a third-party IT assessment. Let us bring a fresh set of eyes, objectivity and expertise to your IT initiatives and help you make smart, data-driven technology investments.
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