♦ IT Metrics and Internet Metrics

Use metrics to optimize your IT decisions, improve your strategy and raise the profile of IT

Metrics are a means of quantifying the characteristics of things like processes and products. Metrics define what is to be measured, how it is measured, the unit of measurement and the source of the data. Metrics must also be comparable to some control data, such as an industry benchmark or historical data.

The intelligence gathered from a well-planned and ongoing IT metrics program will help you understand which of your activities are performing and delivering value. This knowledge will enable you to reduce overall spending by identifying the most valuable IT projects and eliminating or improving those that are inefficient. Armed with hard numbers on its performance and value, IT can transform itself from a cost center to a strategic player in the enterprise. Studies show that organizations that employ IT metrics achieve greater competitive advantage.

Need IT Benchmarking Data?

IT Spending & Benchmarks: Composite Benchmark Data provides composite metrics for IT spending across all industries.
Technology Trends & IT Best Practices provides data on ROI and TCO data for 13 technologies and IT initiatives.
IT Staffing Ratios: Benchmarking Metrics and Analysis for 14 Key IT Functions provides benchmarks for overall IT staffing mix as well as staff productivity measures.

Competitive Advantage Gained from Projects Relative to the Use of Formal In-Project Performance Metrics

6 tips for developing an effective IT metrics process:

Get buy-in from stakeholders on what to measure

Choose a few key metrics - don't try to measure everything

Metrics is an ongoing project - don’t stop after getting initial results

Include a few business metrics for IT initiatives

Re-evaluate the metrics you are using every few months to ensure they are still useful

When reporting on results, pay attention to the audience and tailor the information presented to its needs

Using IT Metrics Effectively: Quantifying IT’s Contribution

Info-Tech Research Group
Report Code: IN-6530
$295

With globalization and outsourcing, the pressure to deliver more and better services at lower cost is unrelenting. Today’s challenging economic environment means IT management must be able to demonstrate both value and support to the business. Metrics are a powerful management tool that can be used to maintain and improve IT quality and effectiveness in light of these internal and external pressures.

The research that you will find in this extensive Bundle from Info-Tech will help to put you on the path to demonstrable performance improvements and contributions to the business from the IT organization. It includes:

Designing an IT Metrics Program
Integrating Metrics with IT
Measure the Impossible in the IT Department
Be Prepared to Prove Performance Claims by Mastering Metrics
To Dashboard or Scorecard, that Is the Question
Use the Right Metrics When Building an IT Performance Scorecard
Use Metrics for Balanced Scorecard Success
Sample IT Balanced Scorecard
Security Metrics Prove IT's Value
Seven Key Metrics for Professional Services Success

Making IT Metrics Work

Info-Tech Research Group
Report Code: IN-6525
$395

This collection of tools and research provides guidance and best practices advice on how to effectively measure the contribution of IT to the business. It includes information on how to select the right metrics, how to collect data and how to integrate your measurement initiative into IT management.

It also combines interactive tools and templates to help you get started with metrics quickly. It includes:

Four IT Metrics Tools and Templates

IT Application Development Staff Performance Measurement Tool
Sample IT Balanced Scorecard
System Availability Calculator
Downtime Cost Calculator

Two IT Metrics Research Reports

How to Create an Enterprise IT Metrics Program
Integrating Metrics with IT

Six IT Metrics Research Notes

Be Prepared to Prove Performance Claims by Mastering Metrics
Seven Key Metrics for Professional Services Success
Use the Right Metrics When Building an IT Performance Scorecard
How to Set and Use IT Staff Performance Metrics
Metrics to Measure Your IT Application Development Staff
Key Metrics for Measuring System Availability

Metrics for the Internet and Information Technology Handiguide

Janco Associates
Report Code: JA-7726
$495

This HandiGuide is designed for the user with some familiarity with metrics who is interested in developing a more sophisticated program. Its goal is to help you identify the most relevant metrics for your particular industry and IT department, put the necessary data collection systems in place and quickly acquire the information you need to create comprehensive reports.

The HandiGuide includes details on how to best capture data for each metric and defines 540 individual metrics in the following areas:

Finance Metrics
Staffing Metrics
Internet - Electronic Infrastructure Metrics
Competitive/Comparative Metrics
Productivity Metrics
System Development Metrics
Reengineering - Office Automation Metrics
Quality Assurance Metrics
Help Desk Metrics
Computer Operations Metrics
Communications Metrics
Industry Specific Metrics

For more information, please contact Donna Allen at 800-544-7337 or 617-969-9080 or donna.allen@infoedge.com

Click here for a complete list of reports and toolkits on Metrics and Performance Measurement