With economic uncertainty and budget cuts as the norm, IT is under relentless pressure to deliver more and better services at a lower cost. While metrics can require considerable time and effort to develop, and then to report regularly, there are many reasons to make such an investment. For IT leaders, being able to recognize and develop effective metrics is becoming an increasingly important competency.
Enterprises not currently using metrics to manage performance have much to gain. There are many benefits to be had from an effective IT metrics program, including more sophisticated data center management, better alignment with the needs of the business, and higher levels of competitive advantage, as illustrated below in Figure 1.