5 IT Processes That CIOs Need Most

Successful IT requires robust processes.

To improve IT strategies, CIOs must focus on the most critical processes. By focusing on the key initiatives, you can ensure proper IT implementation and progress.

So, which processes do CIOs need to focus on the most? In this article, we’ll dive into the key IT processes for CIOs.

1. Help Desk

Your IT department needs a solid help desk. Having a well-run help desk is crucial for IT experience and overall reputation. Additionally, the quality of your help desk impacts your IT team’s ability to integrate with the rest of the business.

How do you know if your help desk needs some help of its own? Look out for these signs of a struggling help desk:

• Complaints about the help desk
• Lack of information flow from the help desk to the IT team
• Help desk gossip of user storiers
• Ticket numbers and drawn-out processes instead of quick solutions

If any of the above plague your help desk, then improving it must be a top priority.

For some businesses, it may make the most sense to outsource help desk services. You can ensure quicker resolutions without sacrificing your IT resources when you outsource your help desk to a trusted support partner. Overall, outsourcing the help desk improves the efficiency, workflow, flexibility, and efficacy of your help desk. This change may help keep employees and customers happier.

2. Application Support Methodologies

Modern application support teams leverage agile strategies. Of course, the agile strategy requires proper planning and application. Keep in mind that Agile is different than Scrum, as the former is best positioned for IT work.

However, if your team does not develop applications, and you buy them, then focus instead on conference room pilot (CRP) or acceptance test-driven development (ATDD).

3. Architecture

Does your IT architecture management need improvement? It’s not uncommon for IT teams not even to know the quality of their architecture. If this is the case, then it’s time to improve architecture management.

Here are some keys to keep in mind for improving architecture management:

• Create a short, or 12 or fewer, architecture principles that will guide everything else your team does. The principles should be easy to understand and read, free of jargon, and simple.
• Based on the principles, you must then publish a list of standards. Refresh the standards regularly (at least once per quarter) to ensure that they remain current for your practice.
• Incorporate lifecycle management as part of your IT planning and budget assessment.
• Then, design a cloud strategy that adheres to your architecture principles and standards. Treat the cloud as architecture, not just a mode of storage.

Even if your architecture has the above, it may still require updating. The IT architecture practice should continually evolve with your business so that it continues to add value.

The goal is to reduce the bureaucracy of architecture management. CIOs should implement strategies to maintain excellent architecture while also ensuring that leadership understands its importance as a business investment. The CIO is almost always the best option for overseeing the IT architecture.

4. Information Security

Information security is critical for IT. Cybercriminals look for opportunities to steal critical data from businesses in all industries. For IT sectors, cybersecurity must be a priority.

Not taking cyber security seriously is one of the biggest IT mistakes you can make, and it’s avoidable. Data breaches can lead to expensive downtime, severe data loss, and a damaged reputation.

It’s far too common to see businesses fail to prioritize IT security. Understandably, not all companies have the resources to protect their data adequately. That is why outsourcing your cyber security needs can be highly beneficial. As a CIO, you must decide if information security is something your team can handle or if partnering with an experienced IT management company is the best move.

5. IT Innovation

Just think about how much IT processes, tools, and methodologies have changed in the last 20 years. A big part of being a CIO is finding business opportunities related to IT innovation. IT innovation should be a core part of your architecture management. It shouldn’t be an afterthought or a distraction but rather a foundational part of your IT processes.

Knowing When to Outsource IT Processes

Clear, well-documented processes are paramount for competent IT. CIOs must oversee all processes and choose which ones to focus on. The processes discussed above are just a few key IT processes that CIOs must assess, implement, and oversee.

Ultimately, CIOs must determine what to handle in-house and which processes to outsource. While there are many myths about managed IT solutions, the truth is that they can help you:

• Leverage experts
• Add resources to your team
• Give your IT team more time to handle essential responsibilities

No matter what your IT support needs are, Teksetra is here to help. We offer network and server support, security, help desk support, and more. Learn more about how Teksetra can help your IT processes today by contacting our experts.