4.2 Segmented Infrastructure Model
4.2 Segmented Infrastructure Model
1. Worksheet Tabs: Each tab from A to J represents one of the categories in Info-Tech's Segmented Infrastructure model.
Select the appropriate spreadsheet tab to navigate through the workbook.
2. Weightings: Some categories may mean more or less to you, depending on your particular situation. Take some time to
consider the relative weightings of the ten Segmented Infrastructure categories. If you feel they are all equal, assign a value
of 10% to each one. Otherwise, adjust each in accordance with how critical you feel each is to your overall IT and business
functionality. Ensure the total value - calculated at the bottom - is not above or below 100%.
3. Questions: Carefully read the questions in each category. Answer each as best you can with the knowledge of your
organization's current-state infrastructure.
4. Answers: To answer the questions, click once on the corresponding Response cell. Click on the arrow and select an
answer from the drop-down menu.
5. Ranking and Results: Averages for each sub-category will be calculated below the appropriate set of questions.
Averages at the top of each lettered sheet outline maturity scores for each category within the Segmented Infrastructure.
Category rankings range between 0 and 4, with 0 representing a relatively immature environment, and 4 indicating robust
maturity.
Note: After you have filled out this spreadsheet, we recommend you print out a copy to capture the recommendations that
will result from the process.
Source: www.infotech.com
4.2 Segmented Infrastructure Model
Category Weightings
We recognize that each category within the Segmented Infrastructure Model may be more or less important to an
organization, and that every organization will likely place different levels of importance on each. You can customize this
weighting based on your company's specific needs or requirements. For example, a smaller organization with relatively
simple software implementation issues may wish to place a lower level of importance on the Software category than an
organization that custom builds and supports its own packages.
Instructions: To change the weight of any given category, simply type in the appropriate entries, ensuring that the total is
not above or below 100%. The weighting figures entered here will be automatically updated on the Results tab.
Your Weighting
Enter weighting values for each category. Ensure total is not above or below 100%.
A Clients
B Network
C Storage
D Telephony
E Software
F Data
G Security
H Change
I Project Management
J IT Administration
Total 0%
IT Infrastructure Support Functions
4.2 Segmented Infrastructure Model - Decision Making & Analysis Framework:
Sheet A - Client PCs & Peripherals
Scoring:
Unweighted
Category #DIV/0!
Average
S.I. Category
0%
Weight
1. Client PC Management
Client PCs include all desktop and laptop computers that connect to the corporate network. Proactive management of these resources can result in significant cost savings and increased functionality for end users.
# Score Question Response Recommendations
1.3 If you have installed such a system, what % of your equipment does it cover?
1.6 Have you defined a standard "build" for different roles within your organization?
1.9 Have you allocated a budget for maintenance & upgrades for the coming year?
Average for
#DIV/0!
Subcategory
2. Peripherals Management
Includes all non-PC devices connected to the corporate network, such as printers, scanners, and plotters. As with client PCs, active management of these resources can benefit your organization's bottom line.
# Score Question Response Recommendations
2.4 Do you follow vendor/product guidelines when selecting peripherals for procurement?
2.5 Do you use a standard "bundle" of peripherals for your end users?
2.8 Have you budgeted separately for peripherals acquisitions in the coming year?
Average for
#DIV/0!
Subcategory
IT Infrastructure Support Functions
4.2 Segmented Infrastructure Model - Decision Making & Analysis Framework:
Sheet B - Servers, Internal, & External Network
Scoring:
Unweighted
Category #DIV/0!
Average
S.I. Category
0%
Weight
3. Servers
Refers to all computers dedicated to the management of shared resources within your computing environment.
# Score Question Response Recommendations
3.7 Are they uniquely configured for a specific business function, or are they multipurpose?
3.8 Do you have a standard hardware and software build for new servers?
Average for
#DIV/0!
Subcategory
4. Internal Network
Refers to all network-related components dedicated to establishing and maintaining communication within the organization's firewall.
# Score Question Response Recommendations
4.5 Do you have a network management plan to clarify day-to-day operational responsibilities?
4.7 Do you have a roadmap for long-term planning of your internal network?
4.9 Your purchases of hardware, software or services for your internal network are based on
Average for
#DIV/0!
Subcategory
5. External Network
Refers to all network-related components dedicated to establishing and maintaining communication with external-to-the-firewall resources.
# Score Question Response Recommendations
5.3 Do you currently have an inventory or map of your external network configuration?
5.5 If you have a network management plan, does it include your external connections?
How often do you review the external networking components of your network
5.6
management plan?
Your purchases of hardware, software or services for your external network are based
5.9
on
As a percentage, how much of your network administration time is allocated to routine
5.10
maintenance of your WAN?
6. Storage Sufficiency
Determines whether your current storage-related management processes are sufficient to support your line(s) of business
# Score Question Response Recommendations
6.1 Where is the majority of your end user data currently stored?
6.2 Do you have an acceptable use policy in place for your end users?
6.3 Do you place restrictions on what file types can and cannot be stored on the network?
6.5 In the past year, have you experienced slowdowns in your network storage?
In the past year, have you experienced space sufficiency problems with your network
6.6
storage?
In the past year, have you experienced stability or integrity problems with your network
6.7
storage?
As a percentage, how much of your network administration time is allocated to routine
6.8
maintenance of your storage solution?
Average for
#DIV/0!
Subcategory
7. Storage Planning
Even if your current storage solution is adequate, your IT culture needs to internalize storage planning on an ongoing basis to ensure you do not fall behind
# Score Question Response Recommendations
7.1 Do you currently have an inventory or map of your organizations network storage?
7.2 If so, how often do you review your network storage inventory?
7.3 If you have a network management plan, does it include storage devices?
If so, how often do you review the storage components of your network management
7.4
plan?
7.7 Does the roadmap include provisions for SAN or NAS architecture?
Your purchases of hardware, software or services for your storage solution are based
7.8
on
Average for
#DIV/0!
Subcategory
IT Infrastructure Support Functions
4.2 Segmented Infrastructure Model - Decision Making & Analysis Framework:
Sheet D - Telephony
Scoring:
Unweighted
Category #DIV/0!
Average
S.I. Category
0%
Weight
8. Telephony Operations
Encompasses the ongoing support of all voice-based communication technologies, including PBX, Centrex, etc.
# Score Question Response Recommendations
Does your organization use the same case management processes for telephony as it
8.3
does for other types of technology (such as desktop PCs, for example)?
8.8 How are end users trained to get the most out of the companys phone system?
Average for
#DIV/0!
Subcategory
9. Telephony Planning
Investigation of emerging technologies for possible implementation. Like software development, this function requires focus on reducing cost and risk, and improving functionality over time.
# Score Question Response Recommendations
9.1 Do you currently have an inventory or map of your organizations telephony solution?
9.6 If you have a network management plan, does it include telephony-related devices?
If so, how often do you review the telephony-related components of your network
9.7
management plan?
Average for
#DIV/0!
Subcategory
IT Infrastructure Support Functions
4.2 Segmented Infrastructure Model - Decision Making & Analysis Framework:
Sheet E - Software Development, Support, & Integration
Scoring:
Unweighted
Category #DIV/0!
Average
S.I. Category
0%
Weight
Do you have access - internally or externally - to the skills required to build a new
10.5
application?
Do you have access - internally or externally - to the skills required to customize an
10.6
existing application?
10.7 Do you use modular or reusable development techniques (on a percentage basis)?
Do you differentiate between test and production environments? Have you implemented
10.8
a software development test environment?
Average for
#DIV/0!
Subcategory
11.6 What do you do with the tickets once theyve been resolved?
Does your helpdesk handle other types of calls, including service requests,
11.7
installs/moves/adds/changes, etc?
Have you implemented Incident Management practices as outlined in the Information
11.8
Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL)?
Do your helpdesk resources participate in activities sponsored by groups like Helpdesk
11.9
Institute?
Average for
#DIV/0!
Subcategory
12.4 Do you regularly review the software applications you are currently using?
To what degree are end user and business-developed applications included in this
12.7
overall process?
12.8 Are software additions or changes to the inventory reviewed by your systems architects
12.10 Do you charge back support costs for software to your lines of business?
Average for
#DIV/0!
Subcategory
IT Infrastructure Support Functions
4.2 Segmented Infrastructure Model - Decision Making & Analysis Framework:
Sheet F - Data Management
Scoring:
Unweighted
Category #DIV/0!
Average
S.I. Category
0%
Weight
13.1 Have you identified data analyst or database administrators as unique skills?
Are DBAs set up to provide Tier 2 support when the helpdesk (Tier 1) is unable to
13.5
resolve a database-related incident?
13.6 Do you follow standard build practices when building or updating corporate databases?
13.8 Are your databases incorporated into the company's backup strategy?
Average for
#DIV/0!
Subcategory
IT Infrastructure Support Functions
4.2 Segmented Infrastructure Model - Decision Making & Analysis Framework:
Sheet G - Security
Scoring:
Unweighted
Category #DIV/0!
Average
S.I. Category
0%
Weight
14. Security
Provides protection for IT resources from accidental or deliberate destruction by a user of the system.
# Score Question Response Recommendations
Can your technology be connected to from outside the firewall? This can include dial-up
14.1
access, dedicated line or DSL/cable.
14.3 Do you have a demilitarized zone (DMZ) set up within your network?
14.6 Is your security plan incorporated into your network management plan?
Are security requirements integrated into all development, project and support
14.8
initiatives?
Average for
#DIV/0!
Subcategory
IT Infrastructure Support Functions
4.2 Segmented Infrastructure Model - Decision Making & Analysis Framework:
Sheet H - Installs, Moves, Adds, & Changes
Scoring:
Unweighted
Category #DIV/0!
Average
S.I. Category
0%
Weight
15.3 Have you defined, documented and distributed your Change Management processes?
15.4 Do your Change Management personnel actively work with project teams?
15.5 Do your Change Management personnel actively work with ongoing support teams?
15.6 Are learnings from Change Management incorporated into future projects?
Average for
#DIV/0!
Subcategory
16.2 Do you have resources dedicated to installing, moving or adding new hardware?
Do you have processes for installs, moves and additions defined, documented and
16.3
distributed?
16.5 Do your IMAC personnel actively work with ongoing support teams?
16.6 Do your IMAC personnel actively work with your systems architects?
Have you implemented Install, Move, Add, & Change (IMAC) processes as outlined in
16.11
the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL)?
Average for
#DIV/0!
Subcategory
IT Infrastructure Support Functions
4.2 Segmented Infrastructure Model - Decision Making & Analysis Framework:
Sheet I - Project Management
Scoring:
Unweighted
Category #DIV/0!
Average
S.I. Category
0%
Weight
17.5 What software are you currently using to actively manage projects?
17.7 What percentage of your PMs currently have or are pursuing the PMP designation?
17.10 Is project cost tracking integrated into your overall IT financial management structure?
17.12 Are the results of your PIRs used as learnings for future projects?
Average for
#DIV/0!
Subcategory
IT Infrastructure Support Functions
4.2 Segmented Infrastructure Model - Decision Making & Analysis Framework:
Sheet J - IT Administration
Scoring:
Unweighted
Category #DIV/0!
Average
S.I. Category
0%
Weight
18.4 Has your IT organization defined and implemented a Financial Manager role?
18.5 Are Financial Management skills a distinct part of your IT skills inventory?
Average for
#DIV/0!
Subcategory
Average for
#DIV/0!
Subcategory
20.2 Are your IT hiring processes different from non-IT hiring processes?
20.7 How often do you evaluate market compensation rates for IT professionals?
Do you actively solicit feedback from employees through surveys and other similar
20.10
means?
Average for
#DIV/0!
Subcategory
4.2 Segmented Infrastructure Model - Decision Making & Analysis Framework:
Ranking Chart
Instructions: The overall rankings for Segmented Infrastructure Model category maturity are based on a range between 0 and 4, where 0 represents the least mature state and 4 represents the most mature
state.
Use the chart below to measure your category-specific maturity rankings. In doing so, you will have a better idea of how your current-state infrastructure measures up, and where you should focus your
efforts to drive further improvement.
Weighted Maturity ratings express these results by incorporating the weightings you assigned to each category in the Weightings tab earlier in this process. They are calculated as follows: ((4 - Unweighted
Maturity Level) x Assigned Category Weighting) x 100
The range of resulting values in the Weighted Maturity Ratio table can be between zero and 400, with the higher figures indicating categories requiring priority attention.
0 Relative Immaturity
buyout, or large-scale technology implementation - could leave you open to unnecessary risk and unable to
meet your ongoing commitments to your line(s) of business. Take action now to better understand the
categories of infrastructure within your organization, what you currently have in inventory, and where your
greatest returns will be realized.
You are starting to do the things you need to do to get a handle on building a more methodical infrastructure
1 Ad Hoc Maturity management culture, but you've got a fairly sizeable challenge ahead of you. Now is the right time to catalog
what you have already accomplished. Take this to your sponsors and use it as leverage
Your attention to integrating infrastructure management into your IT department is starting to realize returns. If
2 Emerging Maturity sponsorship isn't starting to pay attention to the bottom-line benefits of this more evolved approach to
managing IT, you have an excellent opportunity to bring them on board.
You are well on your way to incorporating an appropriate depth of infrastructure-specific management
3 Relative Maturity
practices into your planning and day-to-day operations. Study industry best practices to better understand
where your remaining growth opportunities lie, then engage sponsorship to get behind specific improvement
initiatives.
Your organization exhibits routine use of infrastructure-specific best practices in multiple areas. Seek out
opportunities to share your experiences outside of IT, throughout the organization, and beyond. By leveraging
4 Robust Maturity your process knowledge to other audiences, you can multiply the benefits back to your organization.
Regardless, remain alert to environmental changes and keep making the case for continued focus.
This category is likely workable for now, but its weighted maturity results indicate it could emerge as a problem
25 to 49 RELATIVELY STRONG Weighted Maturity
SOME priority for work
area given enough time. Although it may not merit immediate attention, you should keep an eye on it to ensure
things don't degrade over time.
This category will most likely require some attention in the forseeable future. The weighted results indicate
AVERAGE Weighted Maturity
50 to 99 MEDIUM Priority for Work
tangible evidence that your current arrangement is either not optimally meeting your business needs, or is
doing so in a way that consumes more resources than it should.
The weighted results show a combination of very low maturity results and a high degree of importance to the
200 and above SIGNIFICANTLY BELOW AVERAGE Weighted Maturity
VERY HIGH Priority for Work
organization. These should be the absolutely first categories that you will deal with as a result of the
Infrastructure Action Plan.
4.2 Segmented Infrastructure Model - Decision Making & Analysis Framework:
Results
User-Assigned The Weighted Maturity Ratio can highlight areas where greater priority should be
placed. If a category is relatively immature or carries a relatively high weight, it will
S.I. Category Category Weighted Maturity rate a stronger candidate for resourcing.
Maturity Weighting Ratio
Clients #DIV/0! 0% #DIV/0! This data is then carried over to the "6.2 Prioritized Infrastructure Category" tool,
where it is added into Table A on the By Infrastructure Category tab.
Network #DIV/0! 0% #DIV/0!
Storage #DIV/0! 0% #DIV/0!
Telephony #DIV/0! 0% #DIV/0!
Software #DIV/0! 0% #DIV/0!
Data #DIV/0! 0% #DIV/0!
Security #DIV/0! 0% #DIV/0!
Change #DIV/0! 0% #DIV/0!
PM #DIV/0! 0% #DIV/0!
IT Admin #DIV/0! 0% #DIV/0!
5.0 5.0
PM Storage PM Storage
0.0 0.0
Data Data