Implementing centralised IT service management: drawing lessons from the public sector

Implementing centralised IT service management: drawing lessons from the public sector

[Abstract]: The IT service management model represents a paradigm shift for IT organisations as it deemphasizes the
management of IT assets and focuses on the provision of quality end-to-end IT services. This paper presents part
of an in-depth study that examines the experience of a government agency, Queensland Health, in the
implementation of a centralised IT service management model based on the ITIL framework. The paper sheds
light on the challenges and breakthroughs, distils a set of critical success factors and offers a learning
opportunity for other organisations. Outsourcing some activities and tool requirements to vendors was seen as
one contributor to success although ensuring effective technology transfer to in-house staff was also necessary.
Another success factor was centralisation of IT services. Commitment of senior management was also crucial as
was a recognition of the need for effective change management to transform the organisational culture to a
service-oriented focus.

Paper no. 94