Week 8: Measure the Performance

Control Objectives for IT (COBIT) is an approach to standardize information technology security and control practices. This is done by providing tools to assess and measure the performance of IT processes. The IT Governance Institute (ITGI) at http://www.itgi.org is responsible for COBIT. It would seem reasonable for the State to begin structuring many of its governance designs around the CoBIT framework . It includes over three hundred specific 'control objectives' and includes a framework and audit guides for over 30 information technology processes. COBIT includes a range of support items and tools. These include: performance measurement items, a list of critical success factors (CSF's) and maturity models for benchmarking and comparison.
The IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) is a detailed framework with hands-on information on how to achieve a successful governance of IT, developed and maintained by the United Kingdom's Office of Government Commerce, in partnership with the IT Service Management Forum. It is a globally recognized collection of best practices for information technology service management. The United Kingdom's Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA) created the ITIL in response to growing dependence on information technology for meeting business needs and goals. The ITIL provides businesses with a customizable framework of best practices to achieve quality service and overcome difficulties associated with the growth of IT systems. Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft are two businesses that use ITIL as part of their own best practices frameworks. The ITIL is organized into "sets" of texts which are defined by related functions: service support, service delivery, managerial, software support, computer operations, security management and environmental. In addition to texts, which can be purchased online, ITIL services and products include training, qualifications, software tools and user groups such as the IT Service Management Forum (itSMF).

Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) is a process improvement approach that provides organizations with the essential elements of effective processes. It can be used to guide process improvement across a project, a division, or an entire organization. CMMI helps integrate traditionally separate organizational functions, set process improvement goals and priorities, provide guidance for quality processes, and provide a point of reference for appraising current processes.

References:
-Using the Balanced Scorecard as a Strategic Management System, Robert Steven Kaplan and David P. Norton
-Service Strategy- By OGC - Office of Government Commerce, Ogc
-COBIT 4.1 Excerpt, ISACA.org
-www.itil.co.uk/