Weekly Digest – 08-16

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Here are some interesting items I’ve come across over the past week or so that I’d like to share.

I read a though-provoking article the other day by Tony Lock on why IT is still not communicating well with its business counterparts. Per Lock:

[F]ew organisations have formally established and monitored service levels reporting in terminology and language with which business users will be comfortable… But when it comes to measuring and reporting on IT’s contribution to either overall business goals or top line business value, the number of organisations with formal reporting processes in place drops to only one in five or even lower.

However, communication isn’t just about metrics and reports. He concludes,

The biggest benefits to the entire business and to IT departments themselves will come not directly from establishing and formally reporting on these matters in business terms but in establishing expressive two way communications between business and IT professionals.

Amen.

On the lighter side, here’s a fun graphic that compares the usability of an Apple product, a Google product, and “your company’s application.” Ouch!

I liked an analogy from Joe Shoemaker posted at Modern Analyst. In it, Joe compares the roles of customer, Business Analyst and Business Manager to a car buyer, salesperson and the buyer’s wife. It’s a quick, fun read and well-written. Do take a look. Also, parse through the comments. There’s some good dialog there as well.

I like to gather constructive quotes. Here’s a link to 21 Suggestions for Success. Some of them may seem a bit trite, I think at least a few are consistent with the subject matter of this blog. Here is a quick sample of my favorites:

“Work at something you enjoy and that’s worthy of your time and talent.”

“Be decisive even if it means you’ll sometimes be wrong.”

“Commit yourself to constant improvement.”

Requirements inflation? Nahh. Never heard of it. Thanks to Geek and Poke for the fun picture.