Proud C.J. Keeps on Working
Our security manager's pride makes her want to do it all herself. But consultants could be the answer this time around.
By C.J. Kelly
July 23, 2007 12:00 PM ET
Computerworld - It's been like Christmas this year in the security lab. We were able to purchase all the technologies we had planned on.
That's unusual, because IT and security equipment is expensive, making our budget one of the largest in the agency. We don't always get the things we want, and sometimes we can't even get the things we think we need.
> Even better, though, we just closed the fiscal year with excess funds that had to be spent, and I was given first dibs. I took advantage of the opportunity by purchasing equipment that was not budgeted until fiscal 2008.
Trouble Ticket
At issue: With resources stretched thin, too much work lands on the security manager's plate.
Action plan: Some extra money in the budget makes using consultants a real possibility.
That means I have extra money in the current budget, which presents an intriguing dilemma regarding the limits of my staff and my own time.
In my previous jobs, the types of projects that are under way right now at the agency were staffed with several security engineers. But here, I'm it.
> Now, that's something I don't really mind. In fact, I've written before about my belief that it's beneficial for technical managers to work alongside their staffs on critical projects — a belief that's strongly opposed by virtually all management gurus and supported by about half of the readers who have taken the time to write to me on this topic.
It has been my experience that technical people want technical managers who understand what they are talking about and can offer assistance from time to time.
Then there's the fact that I don't have anyone on staff with the level of expertise necessary to successfully complete these projects. I am grooming two senior people to take over once these projects go into the maintenance phase, but I have to wonder what will happen in the interim.
> It would be a huge relief if I could use some of that extra money in the budget to hire consultants. The only obstacle might be my own pride.
Me, Me, Me I want to be able to say, "Look at what I did!" Like a lot of people who work in IT, I take a lot of pride in what I accomplish professionally, and it's humbling to say I just can't do it all.
> But when I'm not blinded by my pride, I can see that it's impossible to do everything I'd like to. I too
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