There are many very valid reasons for seeking to assess and certify the effectiveness, capability and maturity of an information technology (IT) organization. For IT products and services organizations, this is becoming a good way to improve your competitive position. For internal IT organizations it may be a way to address concerns of management. For all organizations it can be a way to set the stage for substantial improvements in the information technology function and to reduce the risks associated with systems development.
If organizational certification is the problem your are considering, consider yourself a part of a growing trend. However, many view certification with about as much enthusiasm as a trip to the dentist. None of us like to feel like a bug under a microscope, and none of us like to be surprised. However, most of us want to strengthen our organizations and develop new talents. This latter desire is the key to a successful certification process.
What We Do
We began performing IT organizational certifications in 1987, long before it became a trend. In recent years the Capability Maturity Model for the Software Engineering Institute (SEI-CMM) and the ISO9000, ISO9001, and ISO9000-3 standards (ISO) all propose to accomplish this evaluation need. SMR's certifications incorporate these standards and guidelines. However, we believe that these measures, and certifications that rely solely upon them, are often both unhelpful and superficial. They beg the most important question, "Fine, What do we do about all this?"
SMR certifications have always emphasized two things. First they must be specific to the organization certified and second they must present a customized, pragmatic and detailed plan for strengthening the IT function. A SMR organizational certification proceeds in this general fashion:
In consultation with client management, our consultant determines the types of diagnostic techniques to be used (ergo. SEI CMM, ISO, SMR Snapshot, or hybrid).
We finalize the review plan and identify the individuals who will participate, again in consultation with client management.
The review is announced by the client sponsor, in such a way as to reduce anxiety in the organization. Our consultant meets with key people to explain the process and the results to be obtained.
Information is gathered from the participants in a variety of ways (questionnaire, individual interview, group work session, document inspection).
Our consultant prepares preliminary findings and discusses these with client management. A consensus is developed on which problems (if any) to tackle.
We prepare preliminary recommendations for improvement techniques, targeted at the most critical areas first. We also prepare a change management plan to pace the rate of change to the organization's ability to absorb it.
We issue our findings report to IS management along with the necessary certification documents, and work with them to prepare an appropriate presentation to non-IS executive management. The presentation is usually led by IS, with us in support.
Once accepted by executive management, a summary report is given to all review participants.
We prepare and execute a custom education and coaching program to expedite the necessary improvements and monitor the developing results.
Representative Past Assignments
As you might imagine, disclosing the details of past assignments on a medium as public as a web page is a sensitive matter. SMR Representative Assignments summarizes some of our completed projects. Out of respect for our clients' privacy we have chosen not to disclose their names on this web site. We encourage reference checking, after direct discussions have established a mutual interest.
