IT Portfolio Management: Unlocking the Business Value of Technology

Book Description

Praise for IT Portfolio Management Step-by-Step

"Bryan Maizlish and Robert Handler bring their deep experience in IT 'value realization' to one of the most absent of all IT management practices—portfolio management. They capture the essence of universally proven investment practices and apply them to the most difficult of challenges—returning high strategic and dollar payoffs from an enterprise's IT department. The reader will find many new and rewarding insights to making their IT investments finally return market leading results."
—John C. Reece, Chairman and CEO, John C. Reece & Associates, LLC Former deputy commissioner for modernization and CIO of the IRS

"IT Portfolio Management describes in great detail the critical aspects, know-how, practical examples, key insights, and best practices to improve operational efficiency, corporate agility, and business competitiveness. It eloquently illustrates the methods of building and integrating a portfolio of IT investments to ensure the realization of maximum value and benefit, and to fully leverage the value of all IT assets. Whether you are getting started or building on your initial success in IT portfolio management, this book will provide you information on how to build and implement an effective IT portfolio management strategy."
—David Mitchell, President and CEO, webMethods, Inc.

"I found IT Portfolio Management very easy to read, and it highlights many of the seminal aspects and best practices from financial portfolio management. It is an important book for executive, business, and IT managers."
—Michael J. Montgomery, President, Montgomery & Co.

"IT Portfolio Management details a comprehensive framework and process showing how to align business and IT for superior value. Maizlish and Handler have the depth of experience, knowledge, and insight needed to tackle the challenges and opportunities companies face in optimizing their IT investment portfolios. This is an exceptionally important book for executive leadership and IT business managers, especially those wanting to build a process-managed enterprise."
—Peter Fingar, Executive Partner Greystone Group, coauthor of The Real-Time Enterprise and Business Process Management (BPM): The Third Wave

"A must-read for the non-IT manager who needs to understand the complexity and challenges of managing an IT portfolio. The portfolio management techniques, analysis tools, and planning can be applied to any project or function."
—Richard "Max" Maksimoski, Senior Director R&D, The Scotts Company

"This book provides an excellent framework and real-world based approach for implementing IT portfolio management. It is a must-read for every CIO staff considering how to strategically and operationally impact their company's bottom line."
—Donavan R. Hardenbrook, New Product Development Professional, Intel Corporation

Customer Reviews:

Essential for all managers.......2006-02-02

There is absolutely no doubt that all enterprises, small or large, are completely reliant technology to operate. Companies have aggressively built and deployed IT solutions. My experience has been that most executives kind of treat this as a black box. They understand that there are major benefits to deploying various IT solutions (and they are right), but they don't really understand the how and the why. This is where this book comes in. I think that it is essential reading for executives, particularly those who are not strong in IT. Executives need to really understand the hard issues related to managing their IT portfolio -- how should they manage their IT portfolios. This book provides an excellent road map. It will show you how to evaluate your IT portfolio in a concise and easy-to-read manner. I'm big into charts and checklists and this book provides them. With a bewildering array of IT options and the difficult task of sorting and prioritizing, this book will serve as an essential guide.

Required reading for IT management.......2005-09-23

Paradigm shift is an overused term, but if there is a field in need of one, it is enterprise IT management. IT Portfolio Management presents the first detailed overview of an emerging, business-focused approach for managing all things IT.

If you only buy and read one book on IT management this year, it should be this one. The introductory summation of just how bad things generally are in enterprise IT is worth the price alone.

IT portfolio management ultimately presents the challenging idea of an overall, end to end value chain of IT investments, from initial idea inception through prioritization, delivery, management, optimization, and retirement. Handler and Maizlish propose the formal management of Discovery, Project, and Asset portfolios; their discussion of the Asset portfolio is a groundbreaking examination of issues that too many IT organizations are just beginning to face up to.

This well written book has detailed case studies from Cisco, In-Q-Tel, and Excel Energy, and much specific guidance in the form of checklists, charts, tables, and more.

I recently saw a figure of $800 billion per year for the combined expenditure on IT by US corporations. Given the massive size of this capital investment, it is very surprising how few substantive books there are written on its general issues. Technical publishing usually produces detailed reference guides that are soon obsolete; this book (like the recent _IT Governance_ by Weill and Ross) is in the smaller category of works that discuss more general issues of large scale IT management, and should have staying power far beyond the latest .Net tome.

If you are in IT management or concerned with the architecture of IT enablement systems - buy it. Now!

Performance Measurement and Control Systems for Implementing Strategy Text and Cases

Average customer rating:

Excellent Book, the best book I've ever read
Excelent book
Absolutely Fantastic
Comprehensive Integration with Strategy, Easy to Implement

Performance Measurement and Control Systems for Implementing Strategy Text and Cases
Robert Simons
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Strategy & Competition | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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Similar Items:

Levers of Control: How Managers Use Control Systems to Drive Strategic Renewal
Levers Of Organization Design: How Managers Use Accountability Systems For Greater Performance And Commitment
Advanced Management Accounting (3rd Edition)
Key Performance Indicators: Developing, Implementing,and Using Winning KPIs
Alignment: Using the Balanced Scorecard to Create Corporate Synergies

ASIN: 0132340062

Book Description

Provides and integrated, action-oriented roadmap to all the control system tools and techniques that are needed to manage a business effectively. New accounting techniques including profit wheel analysis, and Strategic profitability analysis. Provides the most comprehensive presentation of the Balances scorecard approach by one of its originators. A carefully integrated structure. For managers and MBAs who are interested in learning more about Management Control Systems.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Book, the best book I've ever read.......2007-02-12

The five stars rating is not enough. No need to say more words after all the previous reviews.

Excelent book.......2007-01-11

An excelent help for managing a business. Very practical, proven in real businesses and related with high level strategy

Absolutely Fantastic.......2004-03-02

WITHOUT QUESTION this book is the best practical business text I have ever read. Thank you Robert for unequivocally adding value - in a meaningful and tangible way that can be taken to the market and capitalised on. It's books like this that inspire me to invest (what would otherwise be leisure) time in learning & continuing my education.

The book is clear, concise, comprehensive & practical, and helped wrap together many general strategy concepts into an effective action based set of implementation tools. VERY, VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Comprehensive Integration with Strategy, Easy to Implement.......2000-03-10

I rarely get excited about textbooks, but this particular treatment of strategy, balancing leading and lagging indicators with a view of past, present and future, was enlightening. This book should be a "must read" for any mid- or senior- level manager. It shows how to make your decisions more fact-based and less 'art'. With the coming of age of "management of knowledge" this is a great tool to use to improve business processes. Definitely worth every single penny spent - but especially if you are interested in learning tangible methods!

Cost Management: A Strategic Emphasis (4th Edition)

Average customer rating:

Review Update
Good for managers bad for students

Cost Management: A Strategic Emphasis (4th Edition)
Edward Blocher , David E. Stout , Gary Cokins , and Kung Chen
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill/Irwin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Corporate Finance | Finance | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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Cases & Readings to accompany Cost Management
Intermediate Accounting
Study Guide for use with Cost Mangement: A Strategic Emphasis
Contemporary Financial Management (with Thomson ONE - Business School Edition and InfoTrac ) (Contemporary Financial Management)
Intermediate Financial Management (with Thomson One)

ASIN: 0073128155

Book Description

Cost Management: A Strategic Emphasis, by Blocher/Stout/Cokins/Chen is the first cost accounting text to offer integrated coverage of strategic management topics in cost accounting. The text is written to help students understand more about management and the role of cost accounting in helping an organization succeed. This text aims to teach management concepts and methods, and to demonstrate how managers use cost management information to make better decisions and improve their organization’s competitiveness. In teaching these key management skills, the text takes on a strategic focus. It addresses issues such as: How does a firm compete? What type of cost management information is needed for a firm to succeed? How does the management accountant develop and present this information? This text helps students learn why, when, and how cost information is used to make effective decisions that lead a firm to success.

Customer Reviews:

Review Update.......2007-06-10

To All Readers of the Posted Comment regarding Cost Management: A Strategic Emphasis--the posted comment refers to the 2nd Edition of this text. The most recent edition, of which I am now a coauthor, is the 4th edition, which carries a 2008 copyright date. The latest edition of the text is materially different from the previous editions. Please keep these points in mind as you consider the latest edition of the text. Thank you.

David E. Stout
Youngstown State University
destout@ysu.edu

Good for managers bad for students.......2003-07-29

I bought this book to help me studying for my part 3 CMA exam.

The reason I removed the fifth star from my rating is:
First : It does not have enough questions, or questions are irrelevant to the ones you get in a CMA exam. Besides, there are no answers given to help you evaluate your self.

Second: Though it has a good website for student support ... some main chapters are still under construction!!

Book Description

* Presents practical and profitable solutions to problems encountered by commercial and regional airlines, charter, cargo, and corporate aircraft operations, businesses, and fractional and lease aircraft companies
* Details save-money, make-money strategies and simulates trips for profit-and-loss analysis
* Includes performance case studies
* Covers methods of fuel conservation, environmental concerns, maintenance, and more

Customer Reviews:

Comprehensive Textbook.......2007-03-25

This book provides a comprehensive coverage of the technical and economic aspects of various facets of air transportation including commercial airlines, charter operations, corporate services and other related businesses such as leasing company operations and fractional ownership. The reader gains insights into the areas where costs can be saved and revenues enhanced. For example, the author presents various strategies to minimize fuel usage and hence improve the bottom line.

The book is well written allowing it to be accessible to people working in various specialties in the air transportation business that have opportunities to learn about economic air transport operations. Among the subjects covered include aircraft maintenance economics, various aircraft financing options enabling managers to evaluate those most beneficial for their business and revenue enhancement strategies. The reader will be pleased to learn that environmental issues are not forgotten.

Overall, a useful and helpful book for managers in the air transportation industry who need to learn how to minimize costs, improve revenue and thus enhance profits.

Too much, too little, need more -- focus.......2003-12-13

The title is misleading. I searched through every chapter to decipher how to make a profit with passenger, cargo, and/or other areas of air transportation. It covers a tremendous amount of information like aircraft configurations and technical designs. Unfortunately, and all so common, lots of problems given about aviation; but few solutions offered about profit strategies!

Each chapter technically covers an area of air transportation, but even the short chapters are not extensive enough. Only the most fundamental elements are written. There is not enough pertinent information delivered for the reader to absorb a firm understanding about air transportation.

Customer Reviews:

Easy to grasp and yet informative.......2000-06-19

This textbook ties everything together very well and in a proper sequence which makes it easy for the reader to understand. Graphical approac made the linkage even more easier and understandable. The cases were quite good too and aid students in applying the concept. Certainly a suitable book for anyone who wants to see how management accounting takes place in an organization .

Cost Management: A Strategic Emphasis, 3rd Economy Edition

Average customer rating:

Cost Management: A Strategic Emphasis, 3rd Economy Edition
Edward Blocher , Kung Chen , and Gary Cokins
Manufacturer: Tata McGraw Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Management | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 007061847X

Product Description

Book Description Cost Management: A Strategic Emphasis, by Blocher/Chen/Cokins/Lin is the first cost accounting text to offer integrated coverage of strategic management topics in cost accounting. The text is written to help students understand more about management and the role of cost management in helping a firm or organization to succeed. This text aims to teach management concepts and methods, and how managers use cost management information to make better decisions and improve their company's competitiveness. In teaching these key management skills, the text takes on a strategic focus. It uncovers issues such as: How does a firm compete? What type of cost management information is needed for a firm to succeed? How does the management accountant develop and present this information? This text helps students learn why, when, and how cost information is used to make effective decisions that lead a firm to success.

Cases in Cost Management: A Strategic Emphasis

Average customer rating:

Interesting and challenging cases
MBA Class

Cases in Cost Management: A Strategic Emphasis
John K. Shank
Manufacturer: South-Western College Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Corporate Finance | Finance | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

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ASIN: 0324311168

Book Description

Master managerial and cost accounting techniques with CASES IN COST MANAGEMENT! With cases that provide challenging and fun problems and help build skills, you will develop the ability to apply cost analysis to decision-making solutions. Based on real-life scenarios, the cases give you the opportunity to analyze the situation, decide which accounting concept is most appropriate, and apply the concept as the manager of a firm.

Customer Reviews:

Interesting and challenging cases.......2007-01-05

This book certainly has a good collection of cases and poses some very real and challenging situations in cost accounting. Good workbook for MBA students.

MBA Class.......2000-09-17

The cases in this book are very thorough and thought-provoking. Very appropriate for an MBA managerial accounting course.

Cost Control: A Strategic Guide (CIMA Professional Handbook)

Average customer rating:

Cost Control: A Strategic Guide (CIMA Professional Handbook)
David Doyle
Manufacturer: CIMA Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1859715176

Book Description

The current economic climate has meant that cost control is firmly back on the corporate agenda. This edition maintains that all too often, costs are cut in a way that is actually detrimental to the company in the short and long-term. The author highlights and examines the many pitfalls managers face, and suggests a more flexible model which will offer stability and sustainability in the modern global marketplace.

Getting maximum results out of organisational resources while minimising costs will continue to rank as one of the main strategic issues facing managers for many generations to come.

Key points and a checklist are included at the end of every chapter
Highlights and examines the many pitfalls managers face in the current economic climate
The author is a cost management and marketing expert and lectures in management control at the HEC School of Management

Target Costing: The Next Frontier in Strategic Cost Management

Average customer rating:

Excellent introduction to the topic of target costing
best practice best theory
BEST PRACTICE BEST THEORY

Target Costing: The Next Frontier in Strategic Cost Management
Jan E. Bell , James H. Cypher , Patricia H. Dears , John J. Dutton , Mark D. Fergson , Keith Hallin , Charles G. Marx , and Peter A. Zampino
Manufacturer: Irwin Professional Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Book Description

``This book provides great insights and perspectives into target cost management practice by combining theory and practice both in the U.S. and Japan.''--Hiroshi Oakano, Professor, Osaka City University. ``Target costing is an essential tool for companies striving to achieve and maintain a position of true cost competitiveness. This book makes an important contribution to the field of strategic cost management, and should be required reading for any executive interested in achieving world-class business performance.''--Charles H. Noski, Senior Vice President and CFO, Hughes Electronics. Target costing has been successfully used as a srategic weapon by Japanese companies for nearly two decades. Now, with Target Costing, Shahid L. Ansari and Jan E. Bell help you understand the tools manufacturers must use by strengthen their companies' competitive advantages. The one-and-only reference on how target costing is building a culture of excellence in many organizations todoay. Target Costing illustrates how this management approach: helped companies like Chrylser, Caterpillar and Boeing make impressive comebacks; centers on the principle that cost management starts before a product is produced; shows why investors looking for solid companies can use target costing as a sign of market dominance.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent introduction to the topic of target costing.......2000-08-23

This book gives an excellent overview of the topic, written in an easy understandable way. The authors have researched numerous articles and studies and compiled them into this work. The book also contains a lot of tables and graphs to illustrate the text. The foundations and the scope of target costing are well discussed and a small case study gives an idea how target costing is working in a practice. Moreover, there are a lot of references to literature and some examples from industry discussed. In the appendix there is a very useful collection of tools used in the target costing.

Definition and scope of target costing as explained in the book:

The target costing process is a system of profit planning and cost management that is price led, customer focused, design centred, and cross-functional. The target costing initiates cost management at the earliest stages of product development and applies it throughout the product life cycle by actively involving the entire value chain.

The difference between target costing and cost management is that the latter focuses on reducing the cost when they are already occurring, that means when the product design and the process are already defined. The target costing approach on the other hand helps to identify the allowable cost for a product in the design stage, the cost at the manufacturing stage are therefore known to be achievable and competitive. Further cost improvements are achieved by kaizen costing (continuous improvement).

best practice best theory.......2000-04-02

this book is best for persons to understand the target costing indeeply with plain english. this book is also suitable for cost management in the globe.

BEST PRACTICE BEST THEORY.......2000-04-02

This book provided more detail for target costings, more useful everyday, in both practical and theorical case. Moreover, this book use plain english for whoever in the world.

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