This article is about a situation where an IT manager
or administrator need to evaluate the system that he/she managed.
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ICT system (software,hardware,network,application) evolves as the need and demand for new functionality increases. Then it will lead to the need for changes in system architecture, infrastructure, application system, etc. Someteimes, a system can accept new configuration to handle new task. This is normally true for application system, but for operating systems (OS), networking and other physical hardwares, it is not always an easy case. At times it is better for us to upgrade (or change) the system to address new tasks.
As an example, we can use the following table to study the measurement:
|---------------------------------++++ .....
|factors / |
| / measurement | { your measurement indicator(s) }
|---------------------------------++++ .....
|1) Benefits
|---------------------------------
|2) Cost
|---------------------------------
|3) Duration
|---------------------------------
|4) Fallback Plan
|---------------------------------
|5) Available Options/Solutions
|---------------------------------
|6) Demo/Trial Product
|---------------------------------
|7) Pre&Post evaluation
|---------------------------------
|8) Managebility (human & system)
|---------------------------------
|9) Training
|---------------------------------
Form a team of people in your organisation to help you evaluate your measurement. It is best to have representatives from technical, end-users and management to ensure unbias decision. Put the decision for the best interest of the organisation long term operation, not to solve "one time" problem. If its cost too much, break the implementation into phases. Don't forget to get feedback from users and system administrators once the implementation took place. This will help you to monitor the success of the implementation and also fresh input for future upgrade.If cost again become a big issue, why don't give a try for altenative solutions. For software system (OS & applications), you can use lots of freely available "Open Source Software" (OSS). We should not underestimate their capabilities as these softwares sometimes surpassed our basic needs.
As a conclusion, don't rigid yourself to a solution, explore further. If you spend more time to search for information, study them thoroughly, get opinions from people and vendors to help you in making a right decision. Along the way, you will learn new things and enhance your decision making skill. After all, it is our job anyway!.