Building a lean IT organization requires five key roles, according to Forrester.
These roles help businesses analyze potential cost cuts in workforce, services, and capex while improving efficiency. Here’s a recap of what Marc Cecere, Forrester analyst and lead author of the report, had to say about these roles.
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Architecture roles can have a high impact by helping track policies and standards compliance, identifying policies for consolidation, and laying out an overall technology direction that will reduce costs long-term.What it takes to get the job doneOperationally credible architects, the authority to make decisions and projects that encourage compliance
Planners offer the means to create solid methods for establishing up and managing investment priorities. Teamed with relationship management, employees with planning roles can stretch dollars.What it takes to get the job doneA project management process that initiates everything through planning employees, education of business leaders on decisions regarding IT, established methodology to prioritize IT by business demands.
Effective vendor management staff let the organization look for the best sources and keep a tight reign on current vendors—strategic or non-strategic—to make sure IT always strikes the best deal.What it takes to get the job doneStrong negotiation skills, effective communication with architecture employees, strong consequences for ignoring vendor management policies.
IT relationship managers work with business leaders to keep IT on track with business priorities. They inform business leaders of IT costs associated with their decisions and IT leaders about the business consequences of their actions.What it takes to get the job doneEmployees with business process knowledge, involvement from senior-level business leaders.
Demand Management helps the organization maintain the level of internal and outsourced staff to get the job done. Tracking current and future demand and supply of people ensures appropriate resources without wasting payroll.What it takes to get the job doneThe right tools to predict future supply and demand, constant communication with vendor management employees to coordinate sourcing.
IT Management 
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