Managing an IT function is very different from developing or supporting technical IT solutions. General management skills are helpful to the IT manager, but results from this course demonstrate that a management course designed specifically for the IT professional is invaluable.
There are five key modules covering IT strategy, project excellence, communicating technology, operational and crisis management, and commercial acumen. These are the 5 management skills that have been identified as consistently enabling business results and career success for all IT managers.
Course Objectives of IT Management Excellence
Develop an effective IT strategy
Increase project delivery rates and manage a portfolio of projects
Lead effectively in a technical crisis
Set clear IT contract objectives
Effectively negotiate technical agreements
Course Outline of IT Management Excellence
Day 1: Business and IT strategy
Business strategy
What is strategy?
Solving the problems of business strategy
Leading approaches to creating a top-level strategy
Case study ‘Setting corporate direction’
IT strategy
A proven process for IT strategy
Aligning IT strategy to business priorities
Balanced scorecard IT objectives
Enterprise architecture in IT strategy
Looking for a better way — optimizing IT strategy
Strategic plans — plot on a page
Communicating strategy
Day 2: Project excellence
Advanced project, program and portfolio management
Validating project business cases using investment appraisals and sensitivity analysis
IT project management wisdom — lessons learned from successful and failed projects
Effective project governance and reporting
Project portfolio management guidelines
The first 90 days
Making an impact — the first 90 days
Strategic importance and tactical urgency
Case study ‘Priorities of the new IT director’
Business change leadership
The emotional cycle of business change
Guidelines for successful change projects
IT's a unique role in business change management
Day 3: Communicating technology
Communication skills
The art of communicating technology
Presenting IT to non-technical audiences
Creating a compelling technology message — IT’s an elevator pitch
Handling difficult (IT) situations — forum theatre and role play
Group debate — What has IT ever done for us?
Business relationship management
Business relationship scenarios
The POSTMAN technique for identifying priority business requirements
The advanced use of questioning strategies – opening and closing dialogue
Methods of influencing outcomes
Day 4: Operational and crisis management
Continual Service Improvement (CSI) models
Overview of different frameworks, including ITIL, Six Sigma and Lean IT
Techniques of root cause analysis
CSI examples and guidelines
Crisis leadership
Preparing for major (technology) incidents
Managing major incidents
Leading in crisis — the art of communication
Roleplay ‘Handling difficult situations’ — media simulation
Dubai, located on the Persian Gulf, is one of the seven United Arab Emirates and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. The discovery of oil in the region has made Dubai extremely wealthy, allowing it to build the glittering skyscrapers that it is now famous for. That wealth is strongly in evidence in Dubai and visitors will see luxurious buildings and supercars aplenty. Perfect beaches and endless shopping opportunities are to key to Dubai's attractions. Flights to Dubai open up the city's cultural attractions to tourists, with beautiful mosques, museums and art galleries scattered throughout this ultra-modern metropolis.
Things to do and places to visit in Dubai
Dubai's wealth has made it famous for building ever taller buildings and creating artificial islands off its shores. The city's hotels are luxurious and shoppers will love its extensive shopping malls which showcase all the world's top brands. Dubai's attractions don't end there. Dubai also caters to adventure lovers, who can jump in a 4x4 or on a board to speed over dunes outside the city. Local culture mustn't be forgotten either, and visitors have wonderful mosques to visit and old districts to explore. All that combined means that a flight to Dubai is sure to lead to an unforgettable holiday.
When visiting Dubai, be sure to:
Go to the observation deck of the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.
Admire the intricately beautiful Grand Mosque, which has the tallest minaret in the city.
Understand the local history and culture with a visit to the Dubai Museum.
Discover objects from the 6th century at Jumeirah Archaeological Site.
Go skiing – That's not a joke, the Mall of the Emirates houses a snowdome.
Go shopping at the Mall of the Emirates or the Dubai Mall.
Explore the desert surrounding the city – either by 4x4 or atop a camel.
Eat fantastic seafood at Dubai Marina.
Cool off at the Wild Wadi Waterpark.
Marvel at gorgeous Arabic calligraphy at Jumeirah Mosque, the biggest in the city.
Take a yacht tour around the artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah.
Haggle for souvenirs in one of the city's souks.
Wander around the traditional building in Bastakiya District.