Sound IT strategic planning combined with good project management, and audit and control of IT initiatives are all important elements of an effective approach to IT development. CIOs will find the Web a fertile place to find best practices and helpful management advice in all of these areas.
On the subject of IT strategic planning, take a look at the following three sites:
1) www.itpolicy.gsa.gov/mke/capplan/homepg.htm
2) www.itpolicy.gsa.gov/mkm/gsaepp/
index.htm
3) www.ifac.org/StandardsAnd Guidance/OutstandingExposureDrafts.html.
You'll find they contain plenty of valuable information that may help you enhance your own strategic planning initiatives.
REPORT OF THE MONTH
The feature report this month is a standards document that has been developed by the International Project Management Institute (PMI). The document is entitled "Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge". Further information on the PMBOK Guide can be found at PMI's web site . This document provides recommended standards for all key project management knowledge areas and supports a variety of day-to-day efforts of managers and IT professionals alike.
WEB SITE OF THE MONTH
Web Browser's highlighted surfing destination this month is a comprehensive web site sponsored by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA). Accessing http://www.auditnet.org/ will lead you to a wealth of 'best practice' sites regarding audit and control. This site has evolved over the past five years and provides links to numerous other 'best practices' sites. The web master for this site has also written a book on using the Internet effectively, which is available from the IIA.
Dan Swanson is a management consultant with LGS Group in Winnipeg. He specializes in system and management consulting and can be reached at dswanson@lgs.ca
IT Strategic Planning
www.itpolicy.gsa.gov
www.fcw.com/ref/cio.htm
www.ifac.org
www.cima.org
IT Project Management
www.pmi.org
www.itrb.gov
www.cio.com
www.cips.ca
Audit and Control
www.auditnet.org
www.theiia.org
www.isaca.org
www.itaudit.organization
General Information (IM/IT)
www.sei.cmu.edu
www.cio-dpi.gc.ca