Assessing The Maturity Level Of Information Technology Management Process In A Romanian Company

Abstract

Since the 1990s, organizations have gradually become involved in the transformation of their information technology (IT) management process. In order to determine the direction of IT development in correlation with business needs, a consolidated management approach is imposed. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the maturity level of IT management process in an organization. For this purpose, an empirical study in a Romanian public service company was done by using the benchmarking technique and Capability Maturity Model to describe the maturity level of IT management process. Four benchmarking classes, including a number of 24 benchmarks, were taken into account to focus on the main key issues - IT management strategy and IT planning; alignment of business strategy, IT strategy, organizational structure, and IT infrastructure; and information systems security management. The study reveals that the IT management process is mainly focused on technological dimension and less on the managerial one. It was observed that IT managers have a low awareness of managerial skills in planning, organizing, controlling, and leading the IT activities. Practical implication of the study presents two major issues: 1) on one hand, the need to approach a transversal vision in managing the IT process by aligning it to a complex set of choices, reflecting both a strategic and functional perspective and, 2) on the other hand, this study may be useful for managers looking to improve management of the IT department as well as the quality of their services. The study also indicates specific recommendations to refine the IT management process of Romanian companies.