New buyers often come into an IT organization right out of school with neither the vision, the skills, nor the confidence to do their jobs well. Some thrive, some survive, and some drop out, but for many the path they wind up taking from newcomer to successful IT sourcing professional could have been more systematic, supportive, and effective. This Executive Report discusses approaches and systems you can implement to help new IT sourcing professionals more quickly and efficiently become the seasoned professional you desire. The report focuses on leadership, mentoring, coaching, training, and on-the-job experiences.

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As the IT outsourcing environment continues to evolve, new demands are being placed on management to improve and refine sourcing policies and governance. During the past several years, there has been a steady move from contracts managing large facilities aimed at cost reduction toward smaller contracts that focus on providing expertise and efficiency around noncore processes of the business. Companies are more likely to consider multivendor contracts in IT, and strategies may include using vendors operating anywhere on the globe. The consequences are making outsourcing more complex and adequate management increasingly vital. This also comes at a time of increased focus on transparency, control, and efficiency in meeting an increased need to watch costs in turbulent economic times.

In bad times, there is a tendency to draw inward, to look out for yourself, and to protect what you and yours (family, company, department) has. But this is also a time to think boldly. In good or even middling times, there is a tendency to focus on the present and put things off -- if it ain't broke, don't fix it. But, clearly, things are broke, so now is the time to fix them. Bad times like these add a sense of urgency to everything. In better times, projects that we know have to be done are often postponed because they are likely to require some sacrifices. But in dire times like these, sacrifice is the order of the day. There is something about bad times that draws everyone together.

Spend an hour with Ed Yourdon and discover the common litigation risks associated with IT projects, learn how to identify and remove the landmines in your contracts, and get practical strategies for minimizing and managing IT-litigation risks.