Mastering IT Decision Making

1. Successful Decision Making in IT management • John Bucher, Director Information Technology, Oberlin College • Robert Paterson, Chief Information Officer, Salem State College • H. David Todd, Vice Provost and Chief Information Officer, University of San Diego ACM SIGUCCS Computer Services Management Symposium, 2003

2. Abstract: Senior IT managers make key decisions that can greatly impact their chances of success. • What are the opportunities and pitfalls to be aware of when making decisions? • How do we continually reinvent ourselves to remain effective in our jobs A panel of CIOs will provide guidelines for assessing opportunities and share what they might have done differently. ACM SIGUCCS Computer Services Management Symposium, 2003

3. Categories of decisions • Technical • Emotional • Communication • Budget • Ethical • Personnel • Career Relative Importance ACM SIGUCCS Computer Services Management Symposium, 2003

4. How do you decide ? • What is the basis for your decision? • What are your ground rules for making decisions? • What is the role of your moral compass? ACM SIGUCCS Computer Services Management Symposium, 2003

5. Range of decision making Too Slow Too Quick • Procrastination • Indecision • “Analysis paralysis” • “Ready, fire, aim” • Impulsive, compulsive • Arbitrary ACM SIGUCCS Computer Services Management Symposium, 2003

6. When do you make the decision? • Do you have all of the right information? • Do you know how much latitude you have? • How are people expecting you to handle decisions? • You’re the boss - they want a decision. • You gained their trust, now keep it. ACM SIGUCCS Computer Services Management Symposium, 2003

7. How do you keep your views fresh? • Reinvent yourself • Talk to others, ask for their input • Read, read, read • Slow down to fully analyze the situation(s) • Learn from experience, but respect each new circumstance • Pinch yourself occasionally ACM SIGUCCS Computer Services Management Symposium, 2003

8. Presenting your decisions • How? What mechanism? • To what audience? In what order? • Developing the decision; involving others’ input • When to “go to the mat” with an issue • How widespread should it be? ACM SIGUCCS Computer Services Management Symposium, 2003

9. Small decisions • Who makes those decisions? • Small decisions… sometimes big consequences • Getting “off the dime” ACM SIGUCCS Computer Services Management Symposium, 2003

10. How to handle “Bad” Decisions • Define a “bad decision” • Admit when you’re wrong • Take the responsibility for your staff • Discuss what needs to happen to change the situation • Keep your boss in the loop ACM SIGUCCS Computer Services Management Symposium, 2003

11. How do you improve your likelihood of success ? • Solicit input • Listen to everyone • Develop common values ACM SIGUCCS Computer Services Management Symposium, 2003

12. How do you know you’ve made successful decisions? • No news is good news • Acknowledge the focus of the IT committee • Read the campus newspaper • Anticipate the next question ACM SIGUCCS Computer Services Management Symposium, 2003

13. Categories of decisions • Technical • Emotional • Communication • Budget • Ethical • Personnel • Career Relative Importance ACM SIGUCCS Computer Services Management Symposium, 2003