Mapping Information Technology ... To Your Business

By Fred Mapp

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0974562440
• ISBN13: 9780974562445
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: 1st World Library
• Length: 168 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.3" x 7.3"

Customer Reviews

A good first step in the process of aligning IT with your business goals

A blurb on the back cover is "Common sense answers to some very complex issues." While I agree with that statement, I also recognize the inherent limitation. While common sense is a powerful tool, it is not the only one and in areas of significant complexity, it is only an initial step. By definition, common sense is a general level of reasoning which is insufficient when solving more complex technical problems. While reading this book, the constant thought in my mind was, "Yes, that is true, you have stated a general solution, but how do you execute it." In my experience, that is the difficult part. The world is full of people who will sit in meetings and profess agreement that something should be the course of action but then engage in spin-offs or engagements contrary to the spirit of the meeting. The devil is the details and that is not a significant part of this book. The seven principles cited are: *) Align IT strategies with Your Organization's Vision, Objectives and Business Strategies *) Understand Your Companies Business Processes so You Can Optimize IT's Role *) Mapping IT Infrastructure and Applications to Support Business Needs *) Recruit, Develop and Retain the Right Team *) Use Relationship Management to Provide Solutions through Leadership, Consulting and Communication *) Manage Costs across the IT Curriculum *) Measure the Success of Your IT Strategies As you can see from these titles, these are great and necessary goals, but if you have experience in these areas, you are well aware of how hard the implementation can be. At this point in time, no one can convincingly argue that IT is not a fundamental component of any significant business activity. In this book, Mapp provides some general guidelines and encouragement in how to turn IT into a powerful asset, yet there is not enough detail to help you surmount the inevitable hurdles that will arise when you attempt to apply these principles in your organization.

Finding Focus and a Future in the IT world

Fred Mapp has "mapped" what needs to be "mapped" and it couldn't be clearer. I've read a lot of leadership and technical books that quite frankly, are over complicated and lead you on a path of confusion. Fred with a wealth of knowledge provides the business technical navigation tool for the IT enabled work force. It is the GPS, for the any business professional, large or small. Your business success starts with the VISION. Presidents, owners, CEOs and CTOs are bombarded with so many new and innovative technical gadgets it isn't funny. Fred points out that the simple strategy is to ask the client/customer, WHAT DO YOU NEED? It has brought to light, for this "technical guy", some practical, very applicable sense. Having spent over twenty years in the military in Telecommunications and Information Technology, I thought I acquired enough of the leadership strategies there to make me successful. Yes, but this book is taking me to another level of mastery that I find fascinating. Fred has plotted and navigates the course, all we have to do is pick up the book and enjoy the ride.

Practical handbook for today's IT executives

A great book filled with lots of ideas and concepts about how to systematically bring together technology, people, and business strategy to drive real business value. This book sets apart from others on this subject since its filled with many real world examples that Fred has drawn from his 35 years of IT experience. A real eye opener to people who believe success of IT is in knowing only technology aspect and not business or people aspects. This book systematically illustarates how successful IT organizations can deliver value when they are strategically and tactically aligned with business goals. Great handbook for today's IT executives

Timely book that enables IT leaders to sharpen their skills

The controvercy of Nicholas Carr's thesis (IT Doesn't Matter) may be long gone, but it's message has not been forgotten in the executive suites of corporate America. Now, more than ever, CEOs are demanding answers to pointed questions about how to effectively build a world-class IT learning organization that's populated with talented and motivated masters of their craft -- the art and science of professional enterprise software development. Mr. Mapp's book is a quick thought-provoking read that's full of practical advise that can only come from years of experience, and a career of proven accomplishments. He has avoided all the usual fluff and content padding that you frequently find in other books on this topic. In contrast, "Mapping Information Technology to Your Business" gets to the very heart of each of the key issues, and then offers substantive suggestions that can be applied to improve both fundamental IT leadership skills and process-driven organizational management. I recommend this book, without reservations, to anyone who needs to learn how to successfuly develop and lead a truly world-class enterprise IT group that's equally versed in applying technology, and the execution of a meaningful business strategy. David H. Deans Founder IT Professional Mastery Series