Shows
The Calculus of ITCalculus of IT - Season 2 Episode 6 - Creating Technical Diversity without ChaosIn Episode 6 of The Calculus of IT, we tackle a critical challenge: How do you create technical diversity without unleashing chaos? Joined by special guest Kevin Dushney, Mike and I explore the delicate balance between maintaining technological flexibility and preventing system sprawl. We dive into the "pendulum swing of standardization," discuss how to build sustainable technological diversity, and examine ways to measure success through diversity health indicators.From establishing clear system boundaries to managing vendor relationships, we share practical strategies for maintaining technological independence while avoiding the pitfalls of both rigid standardization and unchecked chaos. Plus, we...2025-02-201h 49The Calculus of ITCalculus of IT - Episode 34 - 10/2/2024 - "The Next-Gen IT Paradigm - Part 2"Kevin Dushney and Joel Nichols joined Mike and me again to discuss whether or not the IT Paradigm should be changed and how we might do that if we wanted to. We discussed:Evolving IT Leadership RolesThe changing role of the CIO - why do we still need a traditional CIO and where is this role going?Chief Digital Officer (CDO) - is this even/was it ever a thing that could sustain itself?Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) - will any CISO want to move into this role?2024-10-032h 31The Calculus of ITCalculus of IT - Episode 33 - 9/25/2024 - "The Next-Gen IT Paradigm - Part 1"This is Part 1 of a 2-part series on the future of the "IT Paradigm." In Part 1, Mike and Nate, along with their two special guests Kevin Dushney and Joel Nichols, set the stage for how we arrived at this moment in time for the "corporate IT function" and the IT Leadership historically needed to run the show. You cannot begin to explore the future of the IT Paradigm until you can understand how it has evolved over the last 25 years or so to where we are today. Join us next week, as we explore Part 2 where we take a loo...2024-09-262h 38The Calculus of ITCalculus of IT - Episode 9 - 1/24/2024 - "IT Survival Guide Chapter 10 - Security"In Episode 9, Mike and Nate, along with returning guest Kevin Dushney and special guest Bob Litterer (CISO at Teradyne), discuss Chapter 10 of the IT Survival Guide, which is focused on the philosophy and initial activities behind the construction of a security stack at your new company. Though this chapter was written in late 2019, the paradigm introduced is still a pivotal moment in the start of your IT journey. Bob helps us uncover new insights into other considerations when it comes to security and how the industry at large is evolving. We take a deep dive into AI as a...2024-01-252h 43The Calculus of ITCalculus of IT - Episode 7 - 1/10/2024 - "IT Survival Guide Chapter 8 - Writing Your First Budget"In Episode 7, Mike and Nate and returning special guest Kevin Dushney discuss Chapter 8 of the IT Survival Guide, which focuses on creating your first budget at your new company. Many pieces of information go into your first budget, many of which you have already gathered by this time in your tenure. Now, you need to go and put someone together to form a spending framework for the balance of your first year. Nate, Kevin, and Mike break this process down and discuss all of the additional nuances that come with this process We also discuss the evolution of O...2024-01-111h 54The Calculus of ITCalculus of IT - Episode 5 - 12/28/2023 - "IT Survival Guide Chapter 6 - Organizational Modeling"In Episode 5, Mike and Nate, along with special guest Kevin Dushney, discuss Chapter 6 of the IT Survival Guide, which is focused on initiating the process of building out your IT Organization within the business, including hiring your first key role. This is an essential step in your IT leadership journey as the first hire is not only the most key role you will hire but also substantially reflects your capabilities as the IT Leader for the company.There is a hefty dose of the usual banter, with some discussion of AI and SLMs and a review of t...2023-12-291h 59