Feature


Legal Services


The benefits of an independent IT review


Kevin Goosman (pictured), associate at Baskerville Drummond Consulting Ltd, offers a perspective on the benefits of undertaking an independent IT review.


ways to reduce these costs. On a more positive note, these support functions


A


may provide opportunities to generate profits or to open new markets. The IT function in particular should be regularly reviewed as change happens quickly in IT and it is very easy to fall behind. Many organisations have strong IT teams and as a


result may feel that the internal IT team should undertake its own review. However, it is often the case that internal teams have


been in place for many years, often with many of the same staff. It is also true that many organisations, law firms included, do not provide sufficient training budgets to ensure staff are kept abreast of the latest developments in their field of work. Furthermore, the pressures of the day job and


blinkered thinking can prevent internal staff from identifying new solutions and opportunities. It is quite a different scenario when using an external


IT consultant. Consultants work in a range of organisations which


are often in the same sector and which have similar problems to yours. If they are doing their job correctly, they also know the relevant suppliers within the sector and meet with them regularly to keep abreast of their products and solutions. External consultants also bring a ‘fresh pair of eyes’


and see the situation differently to those who have been immersed in it for some time. They also have the time to make detailed assessments without getting distracted by day-to-day tasks. Here are some types of IT review that might help in


this situation:


• Full IT strategic review – top to bottom review of the IT function.


68 CHAMBERLINK September 2019


ll aspects of your business should be constantly monitored and regularly reviewed. Support functions are cost centres and there may be


• IT infrastructure review – to assess the technologies that are in place and to recommend technical solutions about which the current team may be unaware.


• IT software review – as above, to ensure the organisation is using the correct software and is using it efficiently.


Other organisations have less than strong IT teams


and can benefit even more from an independent IT review. Apart from the assistance mentioned above, the IT consultant can recommend changes to the current IT team or simply bring about improvements through mentoring and training. This situation may warrant the following:


• IT team review – to ensure the team is structured appropriately and that the correct skills are in place.


• Mentoring – to enhance the skills of good staff through guidance from an expert in their functional area.


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