Input Management
Identify inputs required for IT capacity forecasting. Gather and validate input data for forecast scenarios.
Improvement Planning
Practices-Outcomes-Metrics (POM)
Representative POMs are described for Input Management at each level of maturity.
- 2Basic
- Practice
- Collect input data for a limited number of services and resources on a regular basis.
- Outcome
- IT capacity modelling for some IT resources is based on up-to-date empirical data.
- Metrics
- # of empirical data input sources.
- % of resources covered by empirical data.
- Frequency of data collection.
- Practice
- Use IT assumptions as the main input into ongoing IT capacity planning.
- Outcome
- The IT capacity plans produced are largely based on IT driven assumptions and inputs.
- Metrics
- # of IT capacity input assumptions.
- Frequency of IT capacity input from IT.
- Practice
- Define basic scenarios for some resource types to drive IT capacity forecasts.
- Outcome
- IT capacity forecasting is informed by basic change scenarios for some resources.
- Metrics
- # of IT capacity scenarios agreed with the rest of the business.
- Frequency of IT capacity scenario reviews and refreshes.
- 3Intermediate
- Practice
- Implement a process to capture input data for all modelled resources.
- Outcome
- The IT capacity models' accuracy is improved as the models are based on a good level of empirical data.
- Metrics
- # of empirical data input sources.
- % of resources covered by empirical data.
- Frequency of data collection.
- Practice
- Communicate any IT capacity data quality issues to the data owner immediately.
- Outcome
- There is an increased likelihood of accurate IT capacity model predictions due to increased quality of data inputs.
- Metrics
- # of empirical data input sources.
- % of resources covered by empirical data.
- Frequency of data collection.
- % of IT capacity inputs checked for quality.
- Practice
- Operate a process for the collection of the strategic direction, vision, business forecasts, and operational objectives from the business for IT capacity planning.
- Outcome
- The IT capacity plans produced are informed by an ongoing flow of input from the business and are aligned to future business requirements.
- Metrics
- # of IT capacity business input assumptions.
- Frequency of IT capacity input from the business.
- Practice
- Define with the rest of the business a standard set of scenarios to drive IT capacity forecasts.
- Outcomes
- IT capacity forecasting is driven by defined and agreed scenarios.
- A more valid suite of possible scenarios informs IT capacity forecasts.
- Metrics
- # of IT capacity scenarios agreed with the rest of the business.
- Frequency of IT capacity scenario reviews and refreshes.
- 4Advanced
- Practice
- Establish a process to verify the quality of all the data used as input for the IT capacity models.
- Outcome
- There is an increased likelihood of accurate IT capacity model predictions due to increased quality of data inputs.
- Metrics
- # of empirical data input sources.
- % of resources covered by empirical data.
- Frequency of data collection.
- % of IT capacity inputs checked for quality.
- Practice
- Establish an escalation process for IT capacity data availability and data quality issues.
- Outcome
- There is an increased likelihood of accurate IT capacity model predictions due to increased quality of data inputs.
- Metrics
- # of empirical data input sources.
- % of resources covered by empirical data.
- Frequency of data collection.
- % of IT capacity inputs checked for quality.
- Practice
- Include macro trends and actual business usage patterns in IT capacity planning.
- Outcome
- The IT capacity plans produced are calibrated to take account of any macro trends identified and actual usage patterns.
- Metrics
- # of business macro trends included in IT capacity planning.
- Frequency of IT capacity input from the business.
- Practice
- Implement a process to establish and agree consistent scenarios for all IT capacity forecasting activities across all resource types and business areas.
- Outcomes
- IT capacity forecasting is driven by a consistent set of scenarios agreed with the rest of the business.
- The IT capacity plans are informed by input from outside the organization to provide more robust forecasts.
- Metrics
- # of IT capacity scenarios agreed with the rest of the business.
- Frequency of IT capacity scenario reviews and refreshes.
- 5Optimized
- Practice
- Refine and optimize the IT capacity data collection process continually with key stakeholders.
- Outcome
- The IT capacity models maintain accuracy with a continual feed of refined, optimized empirical data.
- Metrics
- # of empirical data input sources.
- % of resources covered by empirical data.
- Frequency of data collection.
- % of IT capacity inputs checked for quality.
- Practice
- Continually optimize the process for the collection and harmonization of input scenarios for IT capacity planning with key stakeholders.
- Outcome
- IT capacity plans are informed by a consistent set of scenarios that are continually reviewed and updated.
- Metrics
- # of IT capacity scenarios agreed with the business.
- Frequency of IT capacity scenario reviews and refreshes.
- Practice
- Regularly check and adapt scenarios to reflect changing business needs.
- Outcome
- IT capacity foreecasts are accurately aligned to meet current and future business demands and requirements.
- Metrics
- # of business input assumptions for IT capacity planning.
- Frequency of IT capacity scenario reviews and refreshes.