The same "power play" that Liza Lowery was never able to see to fruition, has now been set in motion by Randi Levin thanks to the support of the Mini Mayor.
"The view from 14" calls it the "CTO Prerogative".
The FY08-09 budget reads: All systems positions and services currently in the (fill in Department name) are being functionally transferred to the Information Technology Agency. This transfer is part of the first phase of a multi-year City Information Technology (IT) consolidation effort that will establish overall IT direction and prioritization, budgeting, funding, and performance management within ITA.
The Board of Public Works, City Clerk, Commission on Children Youth and Family and LAFD are the first set of lab rats.
As ITA was losing some of it's best and brightest to other City departments (DWP, Airports, Planning, Engineering, Library, CAO, and others), many of defections prompted by the smooth management styling of Mr. Ken Simmons, Randi dusted off Liza's old notes and put a bug in the "diminutive ones" ear.
While the consolidation of citywide IT, never got of the ground under poor Liza (her illness and a weak Mayor) and then Thera Bradshaw was point-blank warned by City council, "Don't even think about it!", it's clear the third Queen of ITA, has been given the sceptre.
However, when you read the Mayor's budget summary comments, one thing becomes clear, if ITA doesn't make this work, you will have a new GM come FY 09-10. "Subsequent changes will depend upon the success of these initial efforts".
Let's hope she's around long enough to wear out that new carpeting.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
"CIO Initiative" re-packaged
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6 comments:
I found this blog when our searchbot noted your mention of 'LAFD'. It is a well-crafted and thought provoking endeavor.
While word may not always travel as far - or as fast - as we'd like, please know that the men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department remain deeply appreciative of our City's hardworking IT staff.
Whether one formally labors within the organization chart of ITA or LAFD, the truth remains that our agency runs on the information you provide. Thanks for all you do to make the magic happen, and best wishes.
Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service,
Brian Humphrey
Firefighter/Specialist
Public Service Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department
PS: Our condolences on the passing of Mike Nares. He was a wonderful asset to the City and those that each and all of us proudly serve. May his intellect and tenacity continue to inspire us in the challenging year ahead.
LAFD Blog: http://lafd.blogspot.com
Say it's not so. Randi's getting additional responsibilities??? She can't even successfully manage ITA.
Why isn't City Clerks Elections Systems coming as well? One has to wonder if the faith in ITA is limited.
We have seen the slow exodus that has taken place year after year since the end of the reign of Big Blue Iron fueled by the perception from individual departments that ISD was not sensitive to their unique needs.
The perception was pretty much uniform and widespread and most likely well founded as it had grown from the complacency that is fostered by a monopolistic establishment which has uncontested economies of scale. But, alas, enter micro and midrange systems and the nose thumbing begins.
Nothing happened all at once, neither the exodus nor the reactionary changes that began to take place within the re-christened agency. These things are cyclical and evolutionary.
The observations made by Randi are self-evident and easily deduced. A divided IT force incurs additional overhead and weakened bargaining opportunities. The proliferation of dissimilar systems attempting to do similar jobs can only lead to waste in many areas, which Randi has already articulated. She is saying that it is time to come together again with a new vision and hopefully with lessons learned.
The hardest part of the new journey lies ahead of us. Have we changed enough to show our City departments that we are worthy of their trust? Are we ready to show them that their goals are our goals and that together we can now run a more efficient City than what we currently have?
Unfortunately one of our greatest enemies is the jaded attitudes that many of us share. Nothing good can come out of sitting on the sidelines sneering.
I am willing to bet that some of our brightest are represented in this attempt at open communication, which is giving a voice to many that toil in despair, but I put it to you that we are creating part of that despair by choosing negativity and having mistrust in our leadership.
No leadership will ever be perfect, but it is better to walk in some direction than stand and criticize those that try. Randi does not have all the answers, of that I am sure, but this step that she takes for us all has potential and she definitely cannot cross the finish line alone.
Dare to believe.
Dear "Dare to believe", no worries, we will continue to watch Randi, her management "team", her plan and her actions very carefully.
Positive choices will be praised appropriately and mistakes will be analyzed and discussed.
This blog, like ITA will morph over time if those decisions lead us in positive ways.
No one here at Rumblings is sitting on the sidelines, everyone is actively involved in making this department better everyday.
Communication is key and that has been the singular purpose of this endeavor. We will not back down from that goal.
Dear "Dare to believe"....
You've got to be kidding! Give Randi a chance? She's been here for a year, and staff have gone over an beyond to educate Randi on the intracies of City government. Bright, creative suggestions forwarded to help her shine in front of the Council and Mayor. And the response is a typical rebuff, the Executive team is so much smarter, they don't need any good ideas from staff.
Randi is due to get her just rewards, sooner or later.
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