An integral IT management framework

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study has been to develop an IT management framework that can be used by IT management of SMEs and mid-corporates to organize and manage their IT resources. The approach in this research proposes and integral perspective on IT management that integrates all identified disciplines of IT management. Methodology The research approach used is based on a design science approach. Therefore first a first hunch was developed followed by requirements generation for the framework through interviews with IT managers from SMEs and mid-corporates. Then structural specifications were created and finally a prototype framework was designed. Findings The research shows the requirements from SMEs for an integral IT management framework. The research also shows the IT management domains and disciplines that are required for the framework to be considered complete. Finally the research covers the best practices and theories available for each of the identified disciplines of IT management. Limitations Design of the framework is based on a limited amount of interviews and therefore the requirements that were derived may not be generalizable. Another limitation is that extensive evaluation (i.e. applying the framework in practice) was not possible. Practical implications The integral IT management framework is the first framework that was designed with SMEs specifically in mind. It is also the first framework that gives a complete overview of IT management on a tactical level and helps IT management organize their resources. A last advantage of the framework is that it acts as a ‘catalog’ of best practices. Managers can use this catalog to select best practices that best fits their business environment. Originality This paper provides an overview of current multi-discipline IT management frameworks and the overlap between them. It compares the various processes, disciplines and capabilities of these frameworks to come to a set of IT management disciplines that cover IT from a broad perspective.