- IT consulting
- Areas: IT strategy, IT architecture, IT processes, IT organization, IT technology, data center delivery, data center transition & transformation
- Focus: evaluation, planning, design and implementation, project management
IT strategy and IT architecture consulting
- Management and IT management consulting
- Development and maintenance of an IT strategy
- Basic definitions and relationships
- Definitions: vision, mission, role of IT in the company, etc.
- Definition of high-level/top-level IT principles
- Components and influencing factors of the IT strategy
- Development of sub-strategies
- Interaction between IT strategy and corporate strategy
- Scenario building for holistic view and decision making
- Definition of strategy-defining IT processes
- Development and maintenance of an IT architecture
- Basics and overall architecture
- Definition and interplay of sub-architectures
- In-house development of an IT blueprint
- Detailing of sub-architecture-specific IT blueprints and IT principles
- Definition of the IT architecture process
- Establishment/operation of an IT architecture board
- Definition of IT standards and ensuring/updating them
- Linking/interaction with IT strategy
- Layer model (business processes, applications, technology)
- Logical and technical architecture layers
IT process and IT organization consulting
- Business processes
- Status and development of business processes
- Business process optimization through IT use
- Drive and change through IT, impact on business case
- Interaction and integration of business processes/IT processes
- IT processes
- Basics according to ITIL and IBM (LOVEM)
- Definition and development of IT processes including top processes
- Grouping and detailing of top processes on 2nd and 3rd levels
- Detailed development of IT processes from a system management view:
- Configuration management
- Problem management
- Change management
- In-house development of “generic change” including sub-generic changes (technology, software, procedures)
- Operations management
- SLA management
- Development and detailing of the IT architecture process
- Link and integration with business processes
- Tool selection for process design (documentation, simulation)
- IT methodology
- In-house developed methodology (iteration including shifting goals)
- Top-down/bottom-up control loop
- Multiple iterations including goal shifts
- Rough/fine breakdown
- Separation into logical/technical development levels
- IT organization
- Derivation of a process-oriented IT organizational structure
- Optimization/change of existing organizational structures
- Competence shift and creation of competence centers
- “Fire brigade” deployment and disaster management in critical cases
- Planning and execution of social events during reorganizations, motivation building and support of key players
- Benchmarking (COMPASS and other survey methods)
- Establishment of an IT project office and control
- Project controlling and creation of a unified reporting system
- Definition and revision of a project manual
- Operations concepts
- Development of a general operations concept with subject-specific concepts
- Creation of a general operations concept framework as a guideline for subject-specific concepts
- Development of templates for subject-specific operations concepts
Design, conception and implementation
- Infrastructure (cabling)
- Structured cabling systems
- Planning of consolidation points and equipment
- Cable selection for fiber (SM, MM) and copper cables, connectors
- Cabling of headquarters (campus) and branch offices
- Network (LAN)
- Network topologies and protocols, IP planning
- Design, evaluation and selection of switch components
- Routing and switching, VLAN/ELAN design, SNA integration
- Planning and implementation of highly available network structures
- Network (WAN)
- WAN topologies and provider networks
- Conducting selection procedures and awarding provider contracts
- Remote access for fixed and mobile branches of various sizes and connection technologies
- Systems (client, server, host, printing, telecom)
- Definition, classification, selection/use of system technology
- Definition/selection of Wintel systems and thin client environments
- Server planning, selection, setup and commissioning/operations
- Server consolidation/re-centralization
- Host integration (IBM, SIEMENS, Unix derivatives)
- Telecom integration as part of call center operations
- Operating systems (evaluation and use)
- MS-based client systems (W95/98, WNT 3.51/4.0, W2000/XP)
- Thin clients (Microsoft, Citrix)
- Server systems (Novell, NT4.0, W2000, .NET, Linux)
- Host integration (HP-UX, SUN Solaris, IBM Z-OS)
- Network services (evaluation, use and integration)
- Setup of communication structures (MS Exchange, Lotus Notes)
- Planning, commissioning and operation of network services (e.g. directory, file, print, database, imaging, web, etc.)
- Directory design (NDS, AD)
- Integration into existing environments
- Middleware (evaluation and integration)
- Selection/integration of components for communication, message transport, object access and transactions
- Applications (evaluation and integration)
- Definition of presentation layer
- Integration of application programming (internal, external)
- Technical consulting/support for application development
- Definition of database access methods, database selection and integration
- High-level planning of EIS/MIS systems
Internet, intranet and extranet (evaluation and use)
- Cascaded DMZ zones and related services for internal and external access
- Cascaded firewall deployment/rules
- Use of mail relays
- Email virus protection
- Provision of web and FTP services
- Integration/support of web application services
- Migration planning (planning and use)
- Migration of LAN structures
- Migration of WAN structures and providers
- Migration of (MS) client environments
- Migration of Novell/NT servers
- Ensuring operations during migration phase
- Availability/recovery planning (planning and use)
- Server hardware (Intel) and server OS clusters (Novell, MS)
- Application clusters (Notes)
- Service and restart procedures
- Data center failover concepts
- Re-centralizations and 24x7 operations
- Security planning (planning and use)
- Review of overall security concept
- Definition of trust zones and protection mechanisms
- Testing sub-areas with simulated attacks
- Hardening of the IT environment, especially servers
- System management (planning and use)
- Development and setup of a SM architecture
- Tool selection and commissioning/operations in parts of client-server environments
- Integration into the overall environment (incl. Tivoli products)
- Feasibility analyses
- Review of existing concepts/decisions
- Creation of feasibility studies for decision support
- Critical evaluation of existing parameters
Project management and project work
- Project management
- Taking over project management with teams up to 10 people
- Supporting project management with teams up to 60 people
- Taking over overall project management
- Sometimes dual project management with client PM
- Handling projects with
- Project planning (goals, resources, parameters, budget, etc.)
- Project execution and control
- Project documentation and internal review
- Quality and budget assurance
- Handover of solution to operations management
- Preparation/execution of external review sessions
- Coaching project staff and client PMs
- Driving critical decision points
- Project methodology (mix of in-house and MSF)
- Social skills and mediation
- As an external PM, enforcing tough decisions with appropriate conflict culture
- Project controlling and management reporting
- Project risk management and mitigation
- Project quality measures (design, control)
- Project work
- Joining ongoing or new project teams
- Technical contributions not limited to one area
- Goal and team orientation
- Supporting project management
- Taking over key sub-areas/sub-projects
- Project types
- Working in strategic, architecture-defining and technical projects
- Technical project management as well as process developments
- Extensive project planning for server/mail migrations
- Leading strategy and architecture projects (incl. SM)