IT Asset Management Upgrade - Case Study Example

Software: Software assets managements emphasize various aspects of software assets such as installed endpoint, versions, and licenses. The IT managers will ensure that suitable software containing valid licenses is installed during the upgrade process (Kwak and Stoddard). Software asset management is essential in the license redistribution and management of legal risk due to software expiration and ownership. Hardware: It involves the management of physical components of IT infrastructure such as computer networks and computers.

The common practices are disposal and redeployment management, lifecycle management, procurement management, and approval process (Kwak and Stoddard). It is vital to gather financial information relating to the hardware lifecycle to assist in making decisions. Network: The network needs to be protected from unauthorized access and any malicious attack. In this case, the principle of the Least Privilege can provide a means of controlling access to the network. The new system should restrict how users access to inventory and assets (Aminu).

Security: IT asset management play a vital in the overall security strategy of an organization. Security teams can use the asset management report to identify outdated hardware and software which can put an organization at risk. Notably, the information can assist in fighting against any possible ransomware attacks like WannaCry which mainly targets outdated operating systems. Management: It is crucial for the IT administrators to have information about the available IT assets such as the available assets, where they are, and their usage (Aminu).

For instance, IT administrators should know the number of PCs ordered. An organization should use the appropriate methodology of acquiring, deploying, and tracking information technology equipment. Project Risk PrioritiesOperational Risks: the operational risk as lacks of understanding of assets’ design range of operations and inherent capabilities of the assets. Fundamentally, some assets are adversely affected when operating either above or below the design range (Sisco). For instance, some operating systems may crash if incompatible pragmas or applications are run.

Methods of overcoming this issue are the understanding of how the assists should run, understanding how operating above or below the design range affects the assets, and understanding the mitigation of risks when working outside the design ranges. Development Risks: various risks are related to the migration of inventory and assets management to digital form. They include the potential for the sudden growth in the requirement, employee turnover, productivity issues, and technical risks (Aminu).

For instance, the software developers may take critical information with him/her when he or she leaves thus the information may reach the wrong hands. The sudden growth in requirement occurs when there are new requirements in the project which were not anticipated earlier. Project Controls: It deals with the gathering of data, management of data, and analytical processes which are intended to assist in understanding, predicting, and influencing the cost and time of the IT Asset Management Upgrade project.

Project controls are essential in decision-making (Kwak and Stoddard). However, the gathering of inaccurate data on cost and time may affect the successful completion of the project.