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The User Who Took Over IT

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by munezrhep

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Greetings!

I'm an instructor in a local university. And our organization has an IT unit to answer its IT needs.

The registrar's office invested already some $7,000.00 in commercial software package. And now they're planning to purchase another COTS with an estimated cost of $14,000.00. Sure it's little but in our country it isn't. This user is also head of the registrar's office. IT department is not aware of this.

I volunteered to develop a module of the whole IS that the registrar would like to have. Unfortunately, our IT chief doesn't know any of these plans.

Do you think that the responsibility of deploying IS still lies in the hands of IT? Where in this part of the world the benefits of IS are not achieved.

3 replies

by pac_muthama

Well i have worked in a University before and know how departmental heads behave especially when they can make extra coins from procurement of software(While most executives remain ignorant of I.T) they take advantage if u have a weak IT Dept.! Well the best thing here is to counter attack if u cant get some senior executive to listen to u. Refuse to support that department and explain your facts; U know nothing of the alien systems in that department. Refuse to take responsibility till they call a meeting. In which case hammer them with consequences of bypassing I.T Dept. Sometimes u gatta play dirty.

by munezrhep

Since from the start, I knew that she was eager to proceed with her plans because of the "kick backs". But of course it may not be true at all.

If we play dirty, students may receive all the dirts. You know what I mean. Thanks!

by awfernald

Unfortunately, every choice made results in consequences.

However, let's look at the details:

1. The college board decided that there was a justifiable need to establish an IT department (probably to avoid this type of situation).

2. Some people were used to legacy procedures (I'm giving this guy/gal the benefit of the doubt) and went around IT to get what they wanted.

3. Now this same person wants your support, and you work in IT.

4. You get paid by the IT department.

5. IT department is managed by the college board.

6. This same user works for the college board (whether direct line, or a lower level).

7. Recommendation: Approach the head of IT about the "unauthorized software" and let them deal with the politics/consequences. This way, they can make the decision as to how to support the software (or not support), and also how to bring this software under the IT umbrella. In addition, the IT head can "politefully" request that this user have their hand slapped for not following the appropriate procedures.

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