BACKGROUND IMAGE: iSTOCK/GETTY IMAGES
Key IT metrics: A CIO guide
-
Article
How to measure quality as a KPI
Quality is inherently hard to measure, but there is a way to do it, and it depends on the desired outcome. Matt Heusser, principal consultant at Excelon Development, explains. Read Now
-
Article
Why APM should focus on user experience, not just metrics
Organizations increasingly rely on applications to connect and communicate with their customers and stakeholders. As a result, it is important they update their application performance management strategies to focus on user experience -- not just key IT metrics -- if they want to remain competitive, experts say. Read Now
-
Blog
The need for a 'metrics-driven pipeline' for developers
Developers who are part of a DevOps team need metrics, according to Andreas Grabner, technology strategist at Dynatrace. At the DevOpsDays conference in Boston, Grabner said a "metrics-driven pipeline" will ensure the delivery of quality code, and outlined some of the tools of the developer trade. Read Now
-
Article
Keeping KPI tracking in check enables greater productivity
Don't overdo KPIs -- a handful should be enough to capture the essence of the business or segment. Any more could dilute the user's attention, drawing focus away from key measurements. Read Now
Editor's note
An important part of a CIO's job is securing management's confidence by demonstrating the success of the company's IT strategies. In an increasingly digital realm, methods of tracking and measuring that success are not as simple as they once were. While cost-based assessments of IT impact remain relevant, other metrics, such as the alignment of IT investment to business strategy, user experience and cloud optimization, are growing in importance.
Now, CIOs must draw the line of logic between proposed technology expenditures and the business initiatives they seek to support. This means effectively employing -- and going beyond -- key performance indicators (KPIs) to find the real value in IT projects.
In this CIO Essential Guide, we will examine the key IT metrics CIOs can employ when presenting the case for IT investment. We will also discuss the need for a metrics-driven pipeline for developers and explore strategies to reap maximum benefit from cloud investments as more enterprises call on CIOs to monetize information and generate revenue from that data.
This Essential Guide on key IT metrics is designed to give IT leaders strategic management and decision-making advice on timely topics.
1Measuring cloud investments
Transitioning to the cloud and keeping your cloud processes running smoothly is no easy task -- especially when these decisions have to be justified to upper management. To keep both IT and the business happy, CIOs need to employ the right blend of cloud metrics, practices and tools. In this section, get tips on tackling cloud performance issues, weighing cloud ROI, and cloud cost optimization strategies.
-
Video
Consider these metrics when building a cloud network architecture
What metrics should you consider when building cloud network architecture? In this webcast, John Burke, principal research analyst and CIO at Nemertes Research, outlines how taking into account metrics like customer satisfaction and user experience can help mitigate the challenges associated with building cloud network architecture. Watch Now
-
Blog
How can you measure cloud ROI?
While there is no boilerplate way to determine return on investment (ROI) on cloud services, research analyst John Burke suggests that figuring out the services costs is not that complicated. The human side of the equation is where things can get fuzzy. Read Now
-
Article
Five tips to beat cloud performance issues
Poor cloud performance can have a negative impact on any type of cloud platform, whether it is public, private or hybrid. These quick tips will help you handle cloud performance issues and avert them in the future. Read Now
-
Article
Cost assessment among biggest cloud computing snags
Executives still struggle to address cloud problems like cost assessment, according to consultant Tom Nolle. He details several of the persistent cloud issues he's seeing in the enterprise. Read Now
-
Article
Cloud migrations often lead to reduced TCO
Many enterprises migrate apps to the cloud in hopes of reducing TCO, but these enterprises should be aware of hidden cloud costs from the get-go. Read Now
-
Article
Cloud cost optimization checklist
To maximize cloud's cost efficiency, enterprises should follow these few steps, starting with devising a cost optimization plan and understanding provider charges. Read Now
-
Article
What to to expect from cloud service brokers
Cloud service brokers can make or break a cloud migration. Here are nine tasks, including cloud cost management, to expect from CSBs. Read Now
2IT metrics and business decisions
Getting funding for IT projects is a challenge many CIOs are all too familiar with. How do you prove that particular projects align with your company's business strategy or get the support needed to drive project success? In this section, explore tips on nailing down IT investments.
-
Article
Startup IT funding tips perfect for CIOs
Getting the funding for innovation IT projects can be an uphill battle, but, according to Gartner's Barbara Gomolski, CIOs can learn a thing or two from startups on how to raise capital. Here are her three tips. Read Now
-
Article
Systems of engagement: Three levels of investment
Systems of engagement are ground zero for digital transformation. Crossing the Chasm author Geoffrey Moore gives advice on how to talk digital investments with the business. Read Now
-
Article
How to thrive in the 'outcome economy'
Smart products and services are changing the way businesses give customers what they want. Allan Alter, senior research fellow for Accenture, explains what kind of IT investment and savvy is needed in this new "outcome economy." Read Now
3Key IT metrics terminology
-
Definition
business metric
All organizations use business metrics in order to monitor, track and quantify the state of their internal and external processes. Read Now
-
Definition
cost management
Cost management is the process of planning and controlling the budget of a business. Read Now
-
Definition
key performance indicator
Key performance indicators (KPIs) are business metrics used by corporate executives and other managers to track and analyze factors deemed crucial to the success of an organization. Read Now
-
Definition
performance scorecard
A performance scorecard is a graphic or an application that depicts the progress over time of some entity, such as an enterprise, an employee or a business unit, toward some type of goal. Read Now
-
Definition
ROI
For a given use of money in an enterprise, the ROI (return on investment) is how much profit or cost saving is realized as a result. Read Now
-
Definition
service-level agreement
A service-level agreement (SLA) is a contract between a service provider and its customers that documents what services the provider will furnish and defines the service standards the provider is obligated to meet. Read Now
-
Definition
TCO
Total cost of ownership is a calculation to assess direct and indirect expenses and benefits related to the purchase of a product or infrastructure component. Read Now