Learning ITAM Framework Procedures
As an ITAM/SAM consultant and coach, companies and institutions turn to me when they’re struggling to transform ugly firehoses of unreliable data into trustworthy and accurate information. The first and most common mistake I see over and over again is the lack of best practices and ITAM framework procedures. The second most common mistake I see is the lack of enforcement of best practices and ITAM framework procedures.
What Are ITAM Framework Procedures?
Where You Can Learn About ITAM Framework Procedures
In terms of ITAM framework procedures, the big kahuna is the ISO/IEC19770. ISO/IEC19770 enables your organization to prove you are performing hardware & software asset management to a standard appropriate to satisfy corporate governance requirements and ensure effective support for your IT asset management overall. It lays out a maturity model and breaks down the specific processes that your company or organization should be focused on in the context of what they believe to be best business practices.
ISO/IEC19770 has two main components: first, there’s the asset lifecycle management component, which is needed to drive your assets through the asset lifecycle (duh!). Then there’s the IT asset functional management process covering everything from change management to service level management and everything in between.
You’ve Read The ISO/IEC 19770 Best Practice Standards But Still Can’t Figure Out How To Implement Them
Don’t fret; you’re not alone. ISO/IEC creates the standards but, unfortunately, leaves it up to you to create your ITAM framework procedures around them. That’s where you want to look at supplementing your practice with ITIL. ITIL is the Information Technology Infrastructure Library. It helps you by interpreting ISO/IEC19770, and it does a really good job of checking all the boxes. You can think of it as something like a take-out menu – choose a little from column A and a little from column B to fill your needs.
There are tons of books out there about ITIL, and you can certainly read them all. But, you may still be at a loss at how to get your organization to implement the standards. In fact, it’s one of the biggest complaints I hear. So, your next step should be introducing your team to supplemental supporting programs for ITAM and SAM, such as IAITAM (The International Association of IT Asset Managers, IBSMA (The International Business Software Managers Association, and the ITMC (The ITAM Management Cooperative).
Still Struggling?
What if you’ve done all of the above but still can’t get your company to see the benefits of implementing formal ITAM framework procedures? Get some outside help. IAITAM, IBSMA, and the ITAM Cooperative (see links below) all have strong communities where you can get plenty of advice from your fellow ITAM and SAM practitioners. There are also dedicated communities on LinkedIn, as well. (Links to my favorite groups are below).
Then, if you’re still struggling, it’s time to bring in someone to work with your team. I don’t recommend hiring a consultant to walk in and “take over.” You want someone to train and coach your team and your IT leadership on better methods. It will not only make your job easier and less stressful, but it will have the same effect on them.
If the time has come – you’ve tried everything, and you’re still tangled in a morass of data that jeopardizes your company and your job, an ITAM coach may be just what you need.
- ISO/IEC19770 – Online Browsing Platform
- ITIL – The Information Technology Infrastructure Library
- IAITAM – The International Association of IT Asset Managers
- IBSMA – The International Business Software Managers Association
- ITMC – The ITAM Management Cooperative
