Research Studies

ITPI research reports are designed to give IT decision makers empirical evidence about what is proven to work and about performance improvement potential of practices identified in the studies. We combine interviews and statistical analysis of survey data to identify top performers, and find out what drives their higher levels of performance. Research reports deliver comprehensive data-driven insights that help justify practice and process changes based on potential improvements of key performance measures.

Private and Hybrid Cloud IaaS Study

Hybrid cloud solutions promise to deliver the best of both private and public cloud strategies. However cloud projects require changes to people, process, and technology, and can be a significant undertaking for enterprise IT organizations. This research report reveals cloud project success factors based on analysis of over 143 private and hybrid cloud deployments.

Top performer analysis suggests 22 high impact practices that can be used to achieve better private or hybrid cloud project success.

Study Highlights

Focus on user service requirements before, during, and after cloud deployment in order to ensure adoption and change IT service consumption behavior.

continue >>>


Production Server Virtualization Study

IT organizations are aggressively pursuing virtualization as a way to consolidate servers, reduce costs, and improve business service levels. This study identifies production procedures and controls that are commonly implemented at different levels of virtualization maturity.

IT executives can compare their use of virtualization practices that are frequently used by other organizations that have similar virtualization objectives.

Study Highlights

Analysis of outcomes measures reveals that organizations at higher levels of virtualization maturity have higher performance in key areas of reduced sprawl and configuration variance, increased use of automation, and reduced operational risk.

continue >>>


IT Strategic Alignment Study

This study provides evidence that there are a few basic IT value archetypes. The data from 9 attributes indicate that organizations generally share one of three different sets of core purpose. Data on 49 alignment practices and 16 alignment performance measures also reveals a short list of practices that have the biggest impact on performance fore ach archetype group.

IT executives can use the study findings to profile their organization’s archetype in order to assess and communicate business alignment in business strategy terms. You can also use the findings to ensure your organization is following proven practices optimize ongoing strategic alignment for your IT value archetype.

Study Highlights

There are three basic IT Value archetypes: 1) Utility Provider 2) Process Optimizer 3) Revenue Enabler. Each has unique building-block competencies that organizations of this type should master as they shift from one archetype to another.

continue >>>


Change Configuration and Release Performance Study

We analyzed 57 industry best practices to determine their impact on 15 key performance measures. We identify 7 key performance drivers including 30 individual best practices that best predict performance improvement. Some of our findings confirm widely held beliefs. Other findings may surprise those pursing ITIL implementations.

This study provides hard evidence about specific change, configuration and release practices that best predict top levels of performance across 341 IT organizations studied. It offers detailed analysis of specific practices that should be implemented to achieve higher levels of performance. It links 7 key performance drivers to specific performance measures. It details the performance improvement potential for top, medium and low performers in the study.

Study Highlights

Change management is often identified as a logical starting point for ITIL implementations. However, release management should be the destination for those organizations wanting to achieve higher levels of performance from their efforts.

continue >>>


IT Controls Performance Study

We analyzed 63 COBIT controls to determine their impact on performance along with 25 performance measures. We identified 21 Foundational Controls that improve operating performance. IT audit and operations can use the list of foundational controls to monitor compliance and operating performance improvement.

This study provides insights about which controls can improve performance. It helps build a compelling case for the improve payback on IT control and audit initiatives, by identifying key areas of control activity focus.

Study Highlights

IT audit and control related activities are not just a necessary requirement to meet regulatory requirements, but can actually improve operating performance!

continue >>>