Mark Dixon nailed it with his post on software being only a part of identity management. He sums with two great points.
1. Accept the fact that Identity Management projects are inherently complex. This is not because the software to be implemented is complex, but that Identity is at the core of how a business is operated. Many people will use the system. Many disciplines must be involved in making it work.
Everyone out there about to embark on an IdM project read his first sentence. When you are knee deep connecting legacy applications, figuring out which workflow deleted your CIO’s email account, and determining which challenge response questions will pass Legal’s muster, remember that sentence.
Identity being at the core of how business operates is a subtle point. Those of us who have been working with aspects of identity, and certainly those trying to implement IdM products, see how identity is core. But… For the other 98% of the world, this isn’t so obvious. Yes, identity management requires multiple disciplines. People that you never thought would touch the system end up being integral. But I have to disagree… The software to be implement is complex. This is not because vendors have low quality products or difficult interfaces. Just look at provisioning or password management products. Consider that they all have workflow engines, notification systems, cryptographic engines, and data transformation and transportation components. Any of these on their own is a product unto themselves. Just because they are unified components do not make them any less complex. This complexity isn’t inherently bad, but it is something you have be ready for.
2. Don’t skimp on dynamic project leadership. Projects like this, with many stakeholders and inter coordination, demand strong communications skills and relentless, proactive attention to detail.
Yes! Yes! Yes! Good project leadership, especially project managers, are critical. I know a couple… but their utilization rate is higher than their blood pressure.
While I am on the subject of identity management and implementations, I wanted to introduce Mark MacAuley. Mark joined us at the beginning of the year and brings a wealth identity experience along with him. Great to have you aboard, Mark!
Technorati Tag: identity