SIAM or Service Integration And Management is an approach to managing multiple suppliers of services (business services as well as information technology services) and integrating them to provide a single business-facing IT organization. It aims at seamlessly integrating interdependent services from various internal and external service providers into end-to-end services in order to meet business requirements.
At the start of the 21st Century many organizations contracted with a primary third party supplier to deliver a SIAM model. Various skilled resources together with their roles were transferred from the organization to the third party supplier to continue to deliver. Ultimately the organization looked as a minimum to sustain the level and quality of service whilst reducing its costs.
Over time organizations have considered breaking the SIAM model and bring the responsibilities back in house, perhaps to reduce costs or regain control. Before breaking the SIAM model, the organization should consider the following:
- define a Target Operating Model in sufficient detail to understand what is required both from a process, responsibility, resource and cost perspective
- understanding of the organization's existing strategy and possible effects of breaking the SIAM model may have upon it
- understanding of the current Business Plans focussing on any critical activities or periods
- understanding the current contract to determine what costs, conditions and repercussions that may apply if the contract is to be terminated
- consideration as to what additional resources and tools and the associated costs that may be required to assist with the transition back into the organization, for example legal and contract experts, experienced management staff, ITIL service management expertise, performance and reporting staff, service management toolset, service asset management tools.
As a minimum only once the above have been undertaken can an informed decision be made as to whether or not the SIAM model can be broken. It is worthy of mentioning breaking the SIAM model will result in a period of considerable change and upheaval and therefore a decision not to be taken lightly.
Readers may also find the article Importance of an Operating Model of interest.
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