Guerrilla IT, Embracing the Superuser?

snydeq writes "First it's letting users manage their own PCs and now it's sanctioning the shadow IT projects they do on the down low: 'You probably know them. They're the ones who installed their own Wi-Fi network in the break room and distribute homemade number-crunching apps to their coworkers on e-mail. They're hacking their iPhones right now to work with your company's mail servers. In short, they're walking, talking IT governance nightmares. But they could be your biggest assets, if you use them wisely. The reason superusers go rogue is usually frustration, says Marquis. "It's a symptom of the IT organization being unable to meet or even understand the needs of its customers," he says. "Otherwise, it wouldn't be happening." The solution? Put them to work.'"

Comments

Nonsense! Fire their Ass!

[littlewink]

I work for a large governmental entity that has policing powers and I assure you, such people are worthy of dismissal only. Once you give them an inch, they'll take a mile. As the article states

He or she will do whatever it takes to get the job done without waiting for IT to sign off.

They stop only when they're escorted out the door (or to jail) and then sometimes that's not enough.

People who persist in breaking IT rules after multiple warnings are usually "control freaks". If you give them responsibility, they will end up assuming more than they were granted, arguing with administration, causing chaos and personnel problems.

Best to nip this problem in the bud.

- Been there, done that.