Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
table i.1
problem Sp
ace Category Descriptions
Problem Space
Category
Guide
Personnel
Intraorganizational people and their relationship with
the problem. Include whether they are (or may be)
contributors to the problem or recipients of the
problem, the latter being a state of having to deal with
the problem or the problem situation.
Players
Record any other players and their relationship with the
problem. These include any people outside the
organization or immediate problem environment. Note
that complex systems have many times removed cause-
effect relationships.
Process (business
process)
Consider policy that drives standards and process.
Consider the execution of the process, cognitive
understanding, manual ability/dexterity to execute. Are
there design issues with the process? Is it a training
issue? Is it a management issue?
Organization
Consider organizational structure: hierarchical, matrix,
chain of command, communications protocol, culture,
organizational reward structure. Is the problem with
governance (policy, strategic objectives)? Is the problem
with management (strategic plans, tactical objectives)?
Is the problem with operations (tactical execution)? Is
the problem with use (awareness, understanding,
ability)?
Environmental
Consider intraorganizational as well as
interorganizational environments. Is the problem
internal? Is the problem external?
Data/information
What data surrounds the problem space? Is it adequate
in content? Understandable in form? Available for use?
Applications/business
functions
What business functions and applications surround the
problem space?
Technology/
Infrastructure
Technology includes far more than just computers.
Consider any tool that assists a person to perform a task
effectively as technology. Consider any aspect that
supports a person in performing a task effectively as
infrastructure. Infrastructure may be a computer
network infrastructure (i.e., routers, cables, wireless) or
utilities (i.e., water, HVAC).
