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Reporting To Executives

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the justify-your-existence dept.

chopsuei3 writes "As a System Administrator, I am charged with providing more insight into the functioning of the system. What types of reports and information do other System Administrators submit to executives and on what frequency? Measurements such as uptime and average page latency are useful, but our site is relatively stable and we see minimal downtime, so I'm looking for other important and useful information I can report up to better illustrate my efforts. Our system is also unique in that about 70% of the traffic we see is from devices and not human browsers. I am a lone System Administrator in a 20-person company which specializes in web-based irrigation management. I also simultaneously perform all IT-related tasks in the office, which may also be important to report up to executives on regular basis."

7 of 301 comments (clear)

  1. Dear Slashdot.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Dear Slashdot, How do I do my job? Sincerely, Chop Suey

  2. Here's an idea... by smooth+wombat · · Score: 5, Insightful

    how about asking them what they want to see? Prepare a short document listing what information you can provide them and in what format, and ask them what they want to see. How often, what detail, etc.

    I know, I know. Talking to people, particularly executives, is a daunting task for some in the IT world, but you'd be amazed at how much easier things become when you ask people what they want.

    --
    We will bankrupt ourselves in the vain search for absolute security. -- Dwight D. Eisenhower
    1. Re:Here's an idea... by h2oliu · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I too worked for a 20 person company for in a role similar to what you did. I tried asking them what they wanted, but I quickly learned that I need to guide what they asked of me. You will probably need to educate them on the what you do.

      I had a weekly status meeting with 2 execs to where I prepared a one page document with:

      1) Here is what the main projects are, and my perceived priority (chance for them to change the IT priorities to match the business priorities).
      2) Here are any potential roadblocks to the projects (keep them aware of business risk).
      3) Here are tasks that were completed from the last week (advertise yourself).
      4) Here are the some potential large money items or other significant items that could occur in the next 6-12 months (depends on your company's planning horizon) (prevent surprises).

      Number 4 is very important. Good executives don't like surprises. If you see ANYTHING that could be a major problem down the road. Tell them that you have discovered something, what the potential ramifications are, and what you are doing to identify, isolate, reduce the risks associated with the discovery. If your executives do like to keep their head in the sand, then you should keep an eye on the long term viability of your company.

      --
      Ok, I give up, why you?
    2. Re:Here's an idea... by IICV · · Score: 5, Funny

      Most of it is working, and it has had some nice side benefits (now, anyone can email anyone else anywhere on the planet).

      Finally, e-mail can start making headway against the telegraph!

  3. Think Business Functionality by lbalbalba · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Focus on the benefits the systems provide for the business. For example, if you were sysadmin for a website of a major airline, you would focus on the amount of tickets sold online. Management is way more interested in seeing how much money the web site makes, or in what ways it helps people do their job better and more efficient, than purely technical data like system/service uptime or page visits.

  4. Focus on the business.... by LibertineR · · Score: 5, Insightful
    and not so much the technology.

    Show how the various systems and services directly support Business operations and overall goals like profitability, customer service ratings, etc..

    Point out wherever technology is a business hindrance or obstacle, and provide multiple options for systems or software integration to alleviate the problem.

    In short, use the opportunity to remind the execs that IT is more than a cost-center, and how its proper usage can enhance profitability.

    Careful though; if you do too good a job, they might make you a (gasp) manager, and then of course, you are screwed.

  5. 20 person company + executives + reports??? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    You work for a 20 person company that has executives and reports? What kind of company is this? My experience (as a sys admin and with simultaneous IT support) has taught me that reports are for shareholders' piece of minds unless you work for a really large company. And if you're a private company then the shareholders are the partners/founders and you should just talk to them like as needed.