CIO Dashboard
Atlas Group’s CIO Dashboard is designed to help C level executives understand Information Technology’s (IT’s) cost and performance value over time. The Dashboard runs on a Microsoft SQL database with Microsoft Excel based reports. These reports are presented to each client on a monthly basis by the Atlas Group Client Program Manager (CPM).
The Dashboard monthly report is divided into two sections. The business section presents IT costs and service volume over time while creating benchmarks for comparison against similar industry firms. The technical section presents a red – yellow – green analysis of each of the following areas:
· Finance
· Operations
· Projects
· Business support
· Continuous quality improvement
The technical section analysis over 100 metrics recommended by the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) industry standards. Scores are applied for each metric based on unique client service level targets for i) business service level agreements (SLA’s) and ii) IT department performance level objectives.
Savings are achieved in three ways:
· IT performance transparency improves IT governance and executive decision – making;
· The technical section’s focus on operational performance enables continuous quality process improvement, thereby increasing IT staff productivity; and,
· Capital expenses are reduced by introducing open source IT automation solutions in the following areas:
o Enterprise project management
o Service desk
o Asset inventory
o Network discovery
o Infrastructure alarm monitoring
o Infrastructure security
These software applications significantly improve staff productivity while enabling centralized CIO Dashboard metrics data collection.
Business Section
The CIO Dashboard business section is illustrated below in three parts.
Business Executive Section | ||
IT Value Index | IT Performance Benchmark Analysis | Financial Overview |
The IT value index summarizes IT value into one figure based on utility, warranty and cost each month. A sample chart appears below.
Benchmarks evaluate costs per employee, costs per workstation and / or costs per patient encounter (health care) against average industry statistics.
Technical Section
The technical section is geared for Chief Information Officer’s (CIO’s) and is summarized below.
Technical Operations Section | ||||
Finance | Operations | Projects | Business Support | IT Quality |
Budget Analysis Capital Expenses Operating Expenses Forecast Accuracy Savings | Operational Level Agreements (OLA’s) ITIL processes Timesheets | Project Management Timesheets Project Governance TCO Analysis Vendor Procurement Resource Planning | Service Desk SLA’s Service Portfolio Cost Allocation Compliance
| Process Improvement Training SOP’s Reporting |
These metrics are ranked on a five point scoring system in relation to the unique client service level targets. The scores relate to the business inefficiency in each area. A low score leads to a green indicator, a medium score is yellow and a high score is red.
The ITIL process summary page appears below as an example.
Many key performance indicators (KPI’s) are tracked for each ITIL process area listed.
Summary
The CIO Dashboard is a critical ingredient for effective information technology management. The business section establishes value against industry benchmarks and internal targets. The technical operations section provides clarity into industry standard processes against internal service level targets. This transparency allows for effective continuous quality improvement and the introduction of open source solutions to automate IT functions.