Ian Miell, partner at consultancy Container Solutions, talks about the benefits of writing for learning and team effectiveness. Other topics include online gambling politics, building software for startups and enterprises, the benefits of being a tech consultant, and exploring finance topologies for technology transformation.
Writing - whether runbooks, blog posts, training courses, or “real” books, can help you learn and make your team more effective.
Creating comprehensive runbooks improves efficiency, reduces incident recurrence, and facilitates the onboarding of new employees in incident management.
Deep dives
The Importance of Finance Topologies in IT Transformation
Understanding the financial aspects of technology projects is crucial for successful IT transformations. Ian explores the concept of finance topologies, which focuses on how projects are funded and the impact it has on the overall transformation process. He highlights the miscommunication between the engineering and accounting departments in some companies and explains how aligning finance topologies can lead to more effective team structures and cultural changes within organizations.
The Power of Runbooks in Incident Management
Ian shares his experience with using runbooks in incident management. He explains how creating comprehensive runbooks improved efficiency, reduced incident recurrence, and facilitated the onboarding of new employees. By documenting incident solutions and standardizing processes, teams can quickly respond to incidents, minimize downtime, and ensure knowledge transfer across the organization.
Unlocking the Potential of Consultancy Work
As a consultant, Ian finds fulfillment in being able to provide honest and unbiased insights to clients. He appreciates the freedom to openly discuss challenges, offer tailored solutions, and contribute to the success of various organizations. Being outside of the internal politics of a company allows him to provide valuable feedback and form strategies that align with clients' goals, ultimately driving positive change and IT transformation.
The Intersection of Technology and Finance in IT Projects
Ian emphasizes the importance of considering the financial aspects of technology projects. He highlights the role of finance topologies in shaping IT transformations and how they can influence team structures, decision-making processes, and overall cultural alignment. By addressing financial considerations in conjunction with engineering needs, organizations can optimize resource allocation and ensure the success of their technology initiatives.
Ian Miell is a partner at consultancy Container Solutions, and an author of books on Bash, Git, Terraform and Docker. He explains to Craig how writing - whether runbooks, blog posts, training courses, or “real” books, can help you learn and make your team more effective.
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