Imaginea Gaming Company Has Many Computer Systems But No For ✓ Solved

Imaginea Gaming Company Has Many Computer Systems But No Formal Method

Imaginea Gaming Company has many computer systems but no formal methodology to make changes to these systems. As the IT Manager, the CIO has asked you to draft a change management methodology proposal. Prepare a 4- to 6-page change management methodology proposal that details the steps that must be taken when a change is recommended for any system. Include the following: IT governance committee you would put in place to review and prioritize changes based on business needs and objectives and the severity of the change. A mock-up of the form the stakeholder fills out to request a system change (a stakeholder would be an end-user, manager, or IT staff member). The process used to evaluate system changes and Service Level Agreements (SLAs), including any effect on budgeting and resources, such as time or people, or the severity of the change. The decision-making process used to determine whether internal staff or contractors should be used to complete a system change; include IT sourcing and contracting recommended practices. The importance of configuration management requirements and their impact on business processes or services. The methods you would use for handling conflict and other problems, such as failure to meet SLAs as they arise during a project. The process you would use to evaluate the success of the system change.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

In an increasingly digital and interconnected world, effective change management in IT systems is paramount for maintaining operational integrity, minimizing disruptions, and aligning technology processes with business objectives. For the Imaginea Gaming Company, which manages numerous complex computer systems without a formal change management methodology, establishing a structured approach is critical. This paper outlines a comprehensive change management framework tailored to the company's needs, including governance structures, change request procedures, evaluation processes, sourcing strategies, configuration management, conflict resolution methods, and success evaluation criteria.

IT Governance Committee Formation

The backbone of an effective change management process is a dedicated IT governance committee. This committee, composed of cross-functional stakeholders—including IT managers, business unit representatives, security officers, and financial analysts—will oversee all proposed system changes. Its primary responsibilities include reviewing change requests, prioritizing changes based on strategic alignment and risk assessment, and ensuring adherence to organizational policies. The committee will meet weekly to evaluate ongoing proposals, considering factors such as the severity of the change, potential impact on business operations, regulatory compliance, and resource availability. Establishing clear roles and decision-making authority within this committee fosters accountability and transparency.

Change Request Form Development

A standardized change request form is essential for capturing relevant information about each proposed modification. The form should be accessible via an internal web portal and include fields such as:

• Requestor details (name, department, contact information)
• Description of the change
• Justification and business impact
• Severity level (e.g., low, medium, high)
• Systems affected
• Proposed implementation date
• Requested resources (persons, tools, budget)
• Approvals required

This structured approach ensures comprehensive information collection, facilitating informed decision-making during the evaluation process.

Change Evaluation and SLA Management

Once a change request is submitted, it undergoes a rigorous evaluation process. This includes analyzing the potential effects on existing systems, user workflows, security, and compliance requirements. The evaluation also considers Service Level Agreements (SLAs), which define the expected performance and availability standards. Changes that might impact SLAs require re-assessment of resource allocation, potential adjustments to contracts, and clear communication with stakeholders about changes in service levels.

Additionally, budget and resource implications are assessed. Larger-scale or high-severity changes may require additional staffing, extended timelines, or specialized tools. This evaluation process enables prioritization based on business urgency and technical feasibility, aligning with strategic goals.

Decision-Making for Internal vs. External Resources

Determine whether a change should be executed by internal IT staff or contracted external vendors based on factors such as expertise required, urgency, cost, and risk. For instance, routine updates may be handled internally, while complex integrations or specialized security patches could necessitate external consultants. Recommended practices include conducting a cost-benefit analysis, evaluating vendor credibility, reviewing past performance, and ensuring contractual provisions for service quality and SLAs.

Configuration Management Significance

Configuration management involves documenting and maintaining a repository of system configurations, hardware, and software assets. Proper configuration management ensures consistency, traceability, and control over system states. It directly impacts business processes by minimizing configuration drift, preventing unintended changes, and facilitating quick recovery from failures. Implementing comprehensive configuration management supports compliance standards like ISO 27001 and helps in impact analysis during change assessments.

Handling Conflict and SLA Failures

Conflicts or problems that arise during or after implementation—such as failure to meet SLAs—require predefined resolution methods. This includes establishing escalation procedures, root cause analysis, and corrective actions. Regular communication with stakeholders, transparent reporting, and contingency planning are vital. For example, if a system exceeds acceptable downtime, the issue should be promptly addressed with a detailed incident report, remedial plan, and adjustments in future change procedures to prevent recurrence.

Evaluation of Change Success

Post-implementation evaluation measures include verification of system stability, performance against SLAs, user satisfaction, and documentation of lessons learned. Feedback from end-users and IT staff can identify areas for improvement. Key performance indicators (KPIs) such as system uptime, incident rates, and change success rate provide quantifiable metrics to assess effectiveness. This continuous review process helps refine change management practices and fosters a culture of ongoing improvement.

Conclusion

Implementing a formal change management process in the Imaginea Gaming Company enhances operational reliability, reduces risks, and aligns IT initiatives with business goals. Establishing structured procedures, governance, and evaluation mechanisms ensures systematic handling of system modifications. Ultimately, this framework fosters agility, accountability, and resilience in managing complex computer systems in a dynamic gaming enterprise environment.

References

• Kerzner, H., & Saladis, F. P. (2017). Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling. Wiley.
• ITIL Foundation (2019). ITIL 4 Edition. AXELOS.
• ISO/IEC 20000-1:2018. Information technology — Service management.
• IT Governance: Implementing Frameworks and Standards. (2018). ISACA.
• Schwalbe, K. (2021). Information Technology Project Management. Cengage Learning.
• Project Management Institute (PMI). (2017). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide). 6th Edition.
• ISO 27001:2013. Information Security Management Systems (ISMS).
• Graham, P., & Sheddy, E. (2019). Mastering Service Level Agreements. IT Governance Publishing.
• Baker, B. S., et al. (2020). Managing Configuration in IT Systems. Springer.
• Smith, R. (2016). Conflict Management in Technical Projects. IEEE Transactions.