For CIOs

Redesigning Your Applications Organization

by Marc Cecere, July 8, 2009

Redesigning the applications organization is the next major target for IT restructuring and is particularly attractive when cost reduction is needed. Infrastructure organizations have already gone through several stages of consolidation and standardization. . . .

For Business Process & Applications Professionals

Get The Tools For Business Analyst Success

by Connie Moore, March 31, 2009

Organizations rely on business analysts (BAs) to facilitate the delivery of technology and use process methodologies to improve the organization's effectiveness at the business unit, business function, and/or business process level. So isn't it time to . . .

For Application Development & Program Management Professionals

Harness The Power Of Your Business Analysts

A Guide To Building Your Business Analysis Program

by Mary Gerush, December 9, 2008

IT has long known that business analysis is important, but many shops are just beginning to focus on improving their business analysts' skills and practices. Smart application development leaders recognize that strong business analysis results in increased . . .

For Security & Risk Professionals

A New Role Is Emerging Within IT: Database Security Analyst (DSA)

by Noel Yuhanna, April 4, 2008

As enterprises take stronger measures around database security to meet compliance requirements and defend against attacks, the need for security support and administration becomes critical. But who must now assume responsibility for managing these database . . .

For Application Development & Program Management Professionals

Five Trends That Will Shape The Application Development & Program Management Profession In 2008

by Carey Schwaber, December 14, 2007

Application development and program management professionals struggle to meet business expectations. In 2008, five trends will emerge that will make this harder in the short-term but easier in the long-term. These trends are: 1) the diversification of . . .

For CIOs

Organization Size Drives Apps Maintenance Behavior

Big IT Is More Rigorous In Methodology And More Apt To Outsource

by Marc Cecere, March 22, 2007

Forrester recently surveyed 277 IT decision-makers about their application maintenance habits and preferences, and we analyzed their responses, looking at the effect of organization size on structure, funding, and other factors that affect the maintenance . . .

For Application Development & Program Management Professionals

Your Path To A Test Center Of Excellence

by Carey Schwaber, March 15, 2007

IT organizations looking to improve their testing practices often opt to centralize some or all test-related activities in a testing center of excellence (COE). There are four primary models for a test COE, each with a different role and set of responsibilities. . . .

For CIOs

Structuring The Applications Group

New Development And App Maintenance Organizational Approaches

by Marc Cecere, January 12, 2007

Many CIOs use the same staff to perform applications development and maintenance work. However, dividing these responsibilities into separate groups provides greater oversight, clarity, and efficiency. New development groups are mostly commonly aligned . . .

The Multichannel Organization

Effective Multichannel Solutions Need Strong Cross-Unit Organizational Support

by Jost Hoppermann, August 30, 2006

Companies have wrestled with multichannel solutions for years. Today, technology is available to build comprehensive multichannel platforms — but that's not the main problem. Firms struggle to distribute information across channels and offer true multichannel . . .

For Application Development & Program Management Professionals

The Scope And Focus Of SOA Governance

by Randy Heffner, Larry Fulton, June 12, 2006

A comprehensive view of SOA governance includes the processes, organizational structures, infrastructure, policies, and communication channels for all aspects of your SOA strategy. SOA governance ranges from service portfolio and SOA platform planning . . .

Strategic Architecture Development In An SOA World

The New Architecture Universe

by Jost Hoppermann, March 15, 2006

In 2002, Forrester defined three methodologies targeted at supporting strategic architecture work and daily tactical project needs. Today, new technologies and architectures such as SOA are having an impact on the organizational structure and processes . . .

The Centralized Versus Line-Of-Business App Dev Dilemma

by Alex Cullen, Liz Barnett, August 17, 2005

Organizational models for application development (AD) can directly affect AD's ability to deliver value to the business. For years, companies have struggled with how to organize AD staff to best align with changing business needs while managing the cost . . .

SOA Will Change How IT Works

IT Will Shift Its Focus From Discrete Business Units And Applications

by Alex Cullen, May 31, 2005

The flexibility provided by service-oriented architecture (SOA) enables the continuous optimization of business processes. But the traditional IT organization, which is oriented toward discrete business units and supported by vertically integrated applications, . . .

For Application Development & Program Management Professionals

Integration Decisions: Where to Locate the Support Staff

by Ken Vollmer, October 10, 2002

Enterprises with highly decentralized IT operations that directly support multiple business units will usually find it advantageous to locate technical support for integration middleware in the core IT group responsible for strategic architecture matters.

Turning In-House Software Into a Product — Organizational and Personnel Requirements

by Jost Hoppermann, June 24, 2002

A key success factor for turning an in-house software package into a product is a product group, which provides the necessary planning, development, support, maintenance and marketing for the product and designs its future functionality.

Architecture Groups: Sizing Up Success

by Jost Hoppermann, February 25, 2002

There is not one ideal size for an enterprise architecture group. In Europe, however, there are at least two typical sizes of successful architecture groups: small and very large. However, these two groups sizes cannot deliver the same results.

For Application Development & Program Management Professionals

Implement Integration Technology at the Enterprise Level

by Ken Vollmer, February 19, 2002

An enterprisewide approach to implementing integration technology has many advantages over a decentralized approach and in most cases will represent the best strategy for large, diverse organizations.

Don¿t Force Alignment Between Application Development and Operations/Support

by Ken Vollmer, November 30, 2001

We do not believe it makes sense to force complete alignment between applications development and operations/support groups. They require accommodation on both sides to proceed. This leads to a balance of applications agility and high service levels.

For Application Development & Program Management Professionals

Web Services vs. Enterprise Architecture: Strategy Depends on the Level of Organizational Cooperation

by Randy Heffner, September 19, 2001

Across rigid organizational boundaries, Web Services make it easier to live without architecture alignment that hard to achieve, anyway. Where teams can cooperate across organizations, architecture s broader benefits are and will achievable.

Designing Software Quality Assurance Organizations Combining Function and Process

by Margo Visitacion, March 29, 2001

Answering the call for higher quality software goes beyond designing a comprehensive test program. It extends into creating and maintaining stronger quality processes executed by a competent team.