" Without goals, and plans to reach them, you are like a ship that has set sail with no destination "
-Fitzugh Dodson

Companies without a comprehensive strategy for managing technology react to IT issues as they arise, with little consideration as to how these decisions impact the business in the long term. High cost, under-performing assets, and business disruption are the un-intended results.

Developing and maintaining a comprehensive strategy for technology facilitates business objectives, maximizes the value of IT and minimizes support costs. TriQuest’s approach toward technology strategy uses two fundamental concepts: understanding the network and developing clear objectives for IT.

First, there must be an understanding that the company network is a collection of devices that work together to produce a benefit for the organization. Each piece of equipment or software added increases the complexity of managing the network. Additionally, how well they work together is an additional constraint. Only through proper testing, record keeping, and a clear understanding of the purpose of the device can this be accomplished consistently over time. The law of un-intended consequences, when considering a system of dependant parts, says that a change at one level may affect parts at another level in an unintended way. Each change or addition has the potential to affect the system as a whole.

Second, clearly stated objectives for the technology must be established, measured and reviewed. Multi-year technology budgets drive spending decisions, provide a framework for cost containment, and maximize the value from existing technology assets. Decisions are made in a measured and consistent fashion, with each new feature or component adding to the existing functionality without disruption. Most importantly, well managed strategic deployment of technology will eventually meet the company’s stated operation level. Once this performance level is reached, the goal becomes cost containment and risk-mitigation.

In all things, there is no substitute for planning. This is particularly relevant to technology management, spending, and review. Without a clear sense of purpose, and the role technology plays in a company -- any decision is a good decision. This knee-jerk haphazard approach is flawed, and is the primary reason that technology frequently fails to deliver the promised reliability, cost-savings, or efficiencies.