Best Practice in IT

This is a guide that takes a careful look at the complexity surrounding information technology. The subject has become complex because of the wealth of literature and material through which students and practitioners have to tread warily and wearily if they wish to find "best practice". To gain competitive advantage, any organisation needs to pursue two dominant themes: to commission viable IT projects which add value to the owners; to avoid the "black holes" of failure where vast sums of money can be wasted or lost. What is required is the development of sound client/provider relationships and a condusive environment where best practice underpins the processes. The book highlights the main principles of the subject, offering the possibilities of self-help. In structure, the book is rather like a manual that would come with a sophisticated IT product, but in readable language. It starts with a glossary of essential IT project terms and a set of analysis questions which may be used to profile the issues in any IT case scenario. These questions point the reader in the direction of the relevant sections, where examples and practical ideas are found.