Phoenix Project and application in Schools

[TechMonkey]

I'm halfway through finally reading The Phoenix Project, if you never came across it it is a story about an IT department and a major project spiralling out of control. It covers change management, the types of IT work and how to manage an IT department and projects. It is one of those books that always pops up in conversations about IT management, fire fighting or failing projects.

 

Though it is aimed at large organisations I wondered if anyone else had read it and applied any aspects successfully? Or even what their thoughts are on it? Especially as there are more and more large MATS with IT across sites or regions I imagine this is coming more to the front of Education IT.

 

My feeling is that it is mostly writing down those things that most of us know but when it is spelled out you have one of those "Oh yeah" moments. Nothing is a surprise but it clicks things into place and joins up bits of knowledge that you kick yourself for not linking before.

 

I also wonder if it is worth having a Management section within the forum? The Employment section may be the place for it, but I've noticed more wetware questions and discussion on dealing with SLT from a strategy and planning aspect, not a technical and support view.

 

I found it interesting that there is only one mention of the book on the whole forum so has it mostly passed us by or just found to not be relevant?

[LukeRowberry]

The big question is have you mastered the three ways? The only thing I took from it for schools is that I need to find an Erik.

[TechMonkey]

The big question is have you mastered the three ways? The only thing I took from it for schools is that I need to find an Erik.

 

I think I am at half a way so far!

[msi_school]

I enjoyed the book am trying to take on board the three ways, but the most important part of the whole process was when the CEO bought into IT needing to have a seat at the table and not just have tasks thrown at it.

 

Once management realise that IT are a pivotal part of the organisation things will improve, this will be the case with the agile devops process championed in the book or a waterfall process which the organisation in the book replaces.

 

I have just bought Project Unicorn and plan to read it this weekend.