In the digital age, networks form the backbone of almost every business operation. Yet, despite their importance, their complexity can make them challenging to manage. A successful network is one that is tailored specifically to the business needs, the budget, and the skill set of its users. When these factors are not taken into account, it can lead to data breaches, poor network performance, and frustration on the part of users. In this blog post, we will explore the three most important questions that every director of IT should ask themselves when it comes to networks.
Question 1: What is the business use case?
Many IT directors make the mistake of building a network first and then trying to fit the business into it. However, this approach can result in overspending on systems that are not necessary for business purposes. Therefore, IT directors should be asking themselves what the network is supposed to achieve, such as enabling remote working, facilitating data analytics, or streamlining internal processes. By getting the business requirements right from the beginning, you can create a network infrastructure that provides optimal support for the company’s goals.
Question 2: What is the budget?
Getting the network to do what you want within your budget is often a matter of making intelligent decisions about what features and capabilities are essential, and what can be sacrificed. An IT director should be asking themselves how much money is available for the network project. Once you have a clear budget, you can find the right tools or solutions that meet the business requirements. It is much easier to work within a budget and build the best solution possible rather than building an overbudget system that may not be necessary for the needs of the business.
Question 3: What is the user skill set?
The user’s skill set is the crucial factor when determining how complex the network should be. Consider the skill level of the users who will be working within the network, what training is necessary for them to be able to use the network systems? A lack of user knowledge can be detrimental to the network as a whole, potentially causing performance issues, and, in some cases, data breaches. The need to have users’ input on what is important to their daily work lives cannot be underestimated, especially for those unfamiliar with technical systems.
Conclusion:
By defining the business use case, budget, and user skill set, an IT director can build a network that is tailored to the specific needs of the organization. These three questions help IT directors focus on designing a network architecture that will provide users with the tools and support they need to carry out their daily tasks efficiently. The complexity of networks and the user-skill set can make the dance between user experience and network security a complex one, therefore using innovative solutions, such as hosted domain controllers, can mitigate user damage to a network. Smart business decisions involving network infrastructure will build a strong foundation to operate from.