Case Studies
Well Known Recruitment Group: IT Health Check
Client contact: Finance Director
Parkwell staff: 1 consultant
Objectives and project background
Our client, a rapidly growing recruitment business, is heavily dependent on the services provided by IT.
Parkwell were engaged to provide assurance that the in-house IT function was performing in accordance with best practice for a business of their size and complexity.
In addition Parkwell has acted as a sounding board for the client to consult with in respect of other IT related matters.
Anticipated benefits
- Professional review of current IT governance, staff, systems and support.
- Recommendations for improvements.
Scope and boundaries
- Gain an understanding of the current IT infrastructure and IT budget.
- Understand the coverage of existing IT applications.
- Review the business and technical value of each system.
- Review the organisation structure of the IT function and their skill sets.
- Review the level and quality of support provided to users.
- Gain an understanding of the disaster recovery arrangements.
- Review what new products may be available in the market place that should be taken advantage of including e-commerce opportunities.
Parkwell provided the project manager and the client provided key staff from the IT department and key business areas.
Deliverables
A report containing the following:
- A short description and inventory of the existing systems.
- The strengths and weaknesses of the existing systems.
- The strengths and weaknesses of the IT function.
- Our comments on disaster recovery and business continuity arrangements.
- Our recommendations
- A plan for executing the most valuable change projects within IT.
Project conclusion
Parkwell uncovered a number of issues which were communicated to the client. Some of the more important issues were:
- The IT function was a loosely organised support and administration function, which was seen as a cost rather than an added value service by the business.
- There was no clear IT strategy and IT investments were not aligned to business needs.
- There was also a lack of communication between IT and the different business areas supported.
- An aging telephone system and 14 separate servers was taking a large chunk of IT support time and needed to be replaced.
- There was also a lack of experience and knowledge of the core business system and as such external consultancy and training fees were high.
- The current disaster recovery plan was not adequate. There was also no documented business continuity plan which could be communicated to the business.