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10 strategies and tactics for It Manager

What is It Manager strategy?

Every great achievement starts with a well-thought-out plan. It can be the launch of a new product, expanding into new markets, or just trying to increase efficiency. You'll need a delicate combination of strategies and tactics to ensure that the journey is smooth and effective.

Crafting the perfect It Manager strategy can feel overwhelming, particularly when you're juggling daily responsibilities. That's why we've put together a collection of examples to spark your inspiration.

Copy these examples into your preferred app, or you can also use Tability to keep yourself accountable.

How to write your own It Manager strategy with AI

While we have some examples available, it's likely that you'll have specific scenarios that aren't covered here. You can use our free AI generator below or our more complete goal-setting system to generate your own strategies.

It Manager strategy examples

You'll find below a list of It Manager tactics. We also included action items for each template to make it more practical and useful.

Strategies and tactics for fulfilling promises towards the role of a design manager in an IT company

  • ⛳️ Strategy 1: Enhance team collaboration

    • Schedule regular team meetings to discuss ongoing projects
    • Implement a project management tool to track progress and share updates
    • Encourage open communication and feedback among team members
    • Organise team-building activities to strengthen relationships
    • Define clear roles and responsibilities for each team member
    • Facilitate conflict resolution sessions when necessary
    • Promote a culture of inclusivity and respect
    • Hold one-on-one meetings to understand individual challenges and goals
    • Share best practices and new design trends within the team
    • Celebrate team achievements and recognise individual contributions

  • ⛳️ Strategy 2: Ensure high-quality design output

    • Establish clear design guidelines and standards
    • Conduct regular design reviews and provide constructive feedback
    • Invest in training and development for the design team
    • Create a library of design resources and templates
    • Stay updated with the latest industry trends and incorporate them
    • Utilise user feedback to refine and improve designs
    • Encourage experimentation and innovation in design
    • Implement a quality assurance process for all design outputs
    • Collaborate with other departments to align design with company goals
    • Set measurable goals for design projects and track performance

  • ⛳️ Strategy 3: Drive project success

    • Define clear project objectives and deliverables
    • Create detailed project plans with timelines and milestones
    • Allocate resources effectively to meet project requirements
    • Coordinate with cross-functional teams for integrated project execution
    • Monitor project progress and adjust plans as needed
    • Communicate project status and updates to stakeholders
    • Identify and mitigate risks early in the project lifecycle
    • Solicit stakeholder feedback to ensure project alignment
    • Ensure timely completion of projects within budget
    • Conduct post-project evaluations to identify areas for improvement
team-collaborationdesign-qualitydesign-managerproject-managerdesign-teamcross-functional-team
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Strategies and tactics for managing service and admin account through life cycle management

  • ⛳️ Strategy 1: Implement a clear account creation process

    • Define the roles and responsibilities for service and admin accounts
    • Set up a standard procedure for account requests and approval
    • Ensure proper documentation for all account creation requests
    • Utilise automated tools to create and configure accounts
    • Assign unique IDs and track account ownership
    • Educate staff on account creation policies and procedures
    • Integrate identity and access management solutions
    • Implement role-based access control (RBAC)
    • Perform regular audits of newly created accounts
    • Monitor account creation activity for any anomalies

  • ⛳️ Strategy 2: Maintain accounts efficiently

    • Regularly review and update account permissions
    • Enforce strong password policies and multifactor authentication
    • Implement automated account provisioning and de-provisioning workflows
    • Enable activity logging and monitoring for all accounts
    • Conduct periodic access reviews and re-certifications
    • Provide training on security best practices for administrators
    • Implement a system for securely handling privileged credentials
    • Use automated tools for configuring and managing service accounts
    • Establish a protocol for handling inactive or unused accounts
    • Integrate account management with other IT and security systems

  • ⛳️ Strategy 3: Decommission accounts securely

    • Define policies for account deactivation and deletion
    • Implement automated de-provisioning tools
    • Ensure secure backup and archiving of necessary account data
    • Remove or reassign resources and permissions associated with the account
    • Notify relevant stakeholders before decommissioning accounts
    • Conduct a final review and approval process before account deletion
    • Revoke access tokens and certificates linked to the account
    • Document the decommissioning process and maintain audit trails
    • Educate staff on the importance of securely decommissioning accounts
    • Regularly review and update decommissioning policies and procedures
account-lifecyclesecurity-complianceadministratorit-managerit-securitycompliance-team
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Strategies and tactics for achieving Maturity Level 1 in the Essential Eight

  • ⛳️ Strategy 1: Implement daily backups

    • Schedule automatic daily backups using reliable software
    • Test backup restoration processes monthly to ensure reliability
    • Store backups in a different physical location from primary data sources
    • Encrypt backup files to secure sensitive information
    • Maintain a log of all backup and restoration activities
    • Limit access to backup systems to authorised personnel only
    • Inform team members about backup procedures and responsibilities
    • Regularly update backup software to the latest version
    • Review and update backup policies annually
    • Ensure cloud-based backups comply with organisational policies

  • ⛳️ Strategy 2: Harden user application settings

    • Disable unnecessary software features on all user devices
    • Apply security patches to applications within 30 days of release
    • Restrict user ability to install or run unauthorized applications
    • Implement application whitelisting to prevent execution of unknown software
    • Regularly audit applications for vulnerabilities or outdated versions
    • Conduct bi-annual training for employees on application security best practices
    • Monitor application behaviour for anomalies and report incidents
    • Enforce password policies for applications requiring complex credentials
    • Limit access to sensitive applications based on user roles
    • Document and review application security settings quarterly

  • ⛳️ Strategy 3: Enforce baseline cyber hygiene

    • Install antivirus software on all organisational devices
    • Schedule regular updates for all software to maintain the latest security patches
    • Implement a user education programme focusing on phishing and online threats
    • Restrict administrative privileges based on user needs and responsibilities
    • Conduct security awareness sessions twice a year
    • Establish a protocol for reporting suspicious cyber activity
    • Regularly review access controls to critical systems
    • Use multi-factor authentication for securing access to important accounts
    • Log and monitor all network and system activities continuously
    • Review and update the organisation's cybersecurity policy annually
cybersecurityessential-eightit-managercybersecurity-analystit-supportsecurity-compliance
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Strategies and tactics for migrating users and environment from Server 2010 to Office 365

  • ⛳️ Strategy 1: Plan the migration

    • Conduct an inventory of all users, e-mails, and files
    • Assess current server usage and data volume
    • Create a timeline for the migration process
    • Determine compliance and security requirements
    • Identify key stakeholders and migration team members
    • Select the Office 365 subscription plan and licenses
    • Establish communication channels for updates
    • Document the migration strategy and procedures
    • Set up a contingency plan for unexpected issues
    • Inform all users about the migration process and timeline

  • ⛳️ Strategy 2: Execute the migration

    • Set up Office 365 tenant and configure basic settings
    • Create user accounts and assign necessary licenses
    • Migrate e-mails using Exchange Online or third-party tools
    • Transfer files to OneDrive for Business or SharePoint Online
    • Test migrated data to ensure integrity and functionality
    • Configure Office 365 services like SharePoint and OneDrive
    • Install and configure Microsoft Teams for all users
    • Provide training resources on new platform functionalities
    • Monitor the migration process and address any issues
    • Communicate with users throughout the migration

  • ⛳️ Strategy 3: Post-migration optimisation

    • Verify that all data has been successfully migrated
    • Configure Office 365 security settings and policies
    • Optimise Office 365 services for performance and usability
    • Train users on Office 365 and Teams features and best practices
    • Consolidate feedback from users and address concerns
    • Implement productivity and workflow improvements using Office 365 tools
    • Regularly update and maintain the Office 365 environment
    • Encourage collaboration using Teams and SharePoint
    • Monitor usage patterns and adjust resources accordingly
    • Plan for periodic reviews and updates to the Office 365 setup
migrationoffice-365it-administratorproject-managerit-departmentsupport-team
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Strategies and tactics for creating an enterprise architecture for a credit union

  • ⛳️ Strategy 1: Conduct a comprehensive needs assessment

    • Identify key stakeholders and involve them in the assessment process
    • Gather data on current systems, processes, and technologies
    • Analyse business goals and objectives to align with architectural needs
    • Evaluate existing IT infrastructure and applications for performance and scalability
    • Identify gaps and areas of improvement in current architecture
    • Conduct interviews and surveys with department heads to gather requirements
    • Assess industry trends and best practices in financial services technology
    • Compile a detailed report summarising findings and recommendations
    • Prioritise architectural needs based on impact and feasibility
    • Present findings to executive management for approval and feedback

  • ⛳️ Strategy 2: Define the enterprise architecture framework

    • Choose an established framework (e.g., TOGAF, Zachman) as a basis
    • Adapt the framework to suit the credit union's specific requirements
    • Develop architecture principles that align with business strategy
    • Define the architecture vision and roadmap for implementation
    • Create a governance model to manage and enforce architectural standards
    • Identify key architectural domains (e.g., business, information, application, infrastructure)
    • Document architecture artefacts and models for each domain
    • Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards
    • Establish a communication plan to promote architecture understanding
    • Implement a feedback loop to continually refine the architecture

  • ⛳️ Strategy 3: Implement and integrate enterprise architecture

    • Develop a phased implementation plan with clear milestones
    • Prioritise projects based on business value and strategic alignment
    • Assemble cross-functional teams to execute implementation plans
    • Invest in necessary technology solutions that support architectural goals
    • Integrate new systems with existing infrastructure for seamless operations
    • Conduct pilot tests and simulations to ensure system readiness
    • Train staff on new systems and processes to foster adoption
    • Monitor implementation progress and adjust plans as needed
    • Establish metrics to measure success and ROI of the architecture
    • Conduct regular reviews and updates to maintain architectural relevance
enterprise-architecturecomplianceit-managerenterprise-architectit-departmentproject-management-team
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Strategies and tactics for enhancing management of service and admin account life cycles

  • ⛳️ Strategy 1: Establish clear account management policies

    • Develop a detailed account lifecycle policy
    • Define account creation, modification, and deletion processes
    • Incorporate regular policy reviews and updates
    • Ensure policies comply with industry standards and regulations
    • Train staff on new policies and procedures
    • Implement policy adherence checks and audits
    • Communicate policies clearly to all staff
    • Use templates for account-related documentation
    • Establish an approval workflow for account changes
    • Assign responsibility for policy enforcement

  • ⛳️ Strategy 2: Implement a robust account management system

    • Select a suitable account management software
    • Set up role-based access controls
    • Enable multi-factor authentication
    • Automate account provisioning and deactivation processes
    • Integrate account management software with existing IT infrastructure
    • Regularly update and patch the system
    • Monitor account activity and generate reports
    • Conduct periodic reviews and audits of accounts
    • Implement alerts for suspicious account activity
    • Provide training for IT staff on system usage and best practices

  • ⛳️ Strategy 3: Enhance monitoring and auditing practices

    • Establish a schedule for routine account audits
    • Utilise monitoring tools to track account activity
    • Set up automated alerts for unusual account behaviours
    • Maintain logs of account creation, deletion, and modifications
    • Periodically review access levels and permissions
    • Perform regular vulnerability assessments
    • Enforce separation of duties to reduce risks
    • Document all findings and remediation actions
    • Communicate audit results to management and stakeholders
    • Develop an incident response plan for account-related breaches
account-managementsecurity-protocolsit-managercompliance-officerit-departmentcompliance-team
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Strategies and tactics for achieving Digital Transformation

  • ⛳️ Strategy 1: Conduct a technology audit

    • Evaluate current technological infrastructure
    • Identify gaps in the existing system
    • Determine key technologies applicable to business needs
    • Assess the cost and benefit of new technology investments
    • Engage stakeholders in technology review
    • Prioritise areas needing immediate technological improvements
    • Set a timeline for technology integration
    • Determine training requirements for technology adoption
    • Allocate budget for technology upgrades
    • Develop a roadmap for continuous technology assessment

  • ⛳️ Strategy 2: Implement effective digital tools

    • Research digital tools relevant to operations
    • Select tools that align with company objectives
    • Test out digital solutions with pilot groups
    • Train employees on new tools and software
    • Integrate digital tools into all departments
    • Set metrics to measure tool effectiveness
    • Ensure data migration is smooth and accurate
    • Regularly update and maintain digital systems
    • Collect feedback from users on tool performance
    • Adjust digital tool usage based on feedback and performance

  • ⛳️ Strategy 3: Enhance data-driven decision-making capabilities

    • Invest in data analytics platforms
    • Establish a central data repository
    • Train staff on data analysis techniques
    • Promote a data-driven culture within the company
    • Define key performance indicators (KPIs)
    • Use data to identify process bottlenecks
    • Leverage data for customer insights
    • Ensure data integrity and accuracy
    • Regularly review data analytics reports
    • Make iterative improvements based on data insights
digital-transformationtechnology-integrationit-managerdata-analystit-departmentanalytics-team
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Strategies and tactics for building a robust business foundation

  • ⛳️ Strategy 1: Enhance vendor relationships

    • Identify and research potential vendors that align with business goals
    • Develop a vendor management process to streamline communication and performance assessment
    • Offer incentives for long-term vendor contracts and partnerships
    • Implement a vendor feedback system to gather insights and improve relationship quality
    • Host vendor networking events or workshops to foster collaboration
    • Establish clear expectations and guidelines for vendor deliverables
    • Utilise technology to automate vendor onboarding and management processes
    • Negotiate favourable terms and agreements to ensure mutual benefits
    • Create a vendor recognition programme to acknowledge outstanding contributions
    • Regularly review and update vendor directory for up-to-date information

  • ⛳️ Strategy 2: Strengthen customer engagement

    • Conduct market research to understand customer needs and preferences
    • Develop personalised marketing campaigns to target specific customer segments
    • Implement a customer loyalty programme to reward repeat business
    • Utilise social media platforms to engage with customers and gather feedback
    • Offer exceptional customer service through various support channels
    • Create educational content or resources to inform customers about product benefits
    • Encourage customer reviews and testimonials to build trust and credibility
    • Hold regular webinars or live sessions to address customer concerns and questions
    • Monitor and analyse customer data to identify trends and improve strategies
    • Foster a community around the brand to create a sense of belonging

  • ⛳️ Strategy 3: Ensure platform reliability and user satisfaction

    • Invest in robust infrastructure to support platform scalability and reliability
    • Conduct regular system audits and maintenance to prevent downtimes
    • Implement automated testing to identify and resolve issues promptly
    • Gather user feedback to improve interface design and functionality
    • Establish a dedicated support team to address technical issues swiftly
    • Utilise data analytics to monitor platform performance and user behaviour
    • Set up a user onboarding process to enhance initial user experience
    • Ensure data privacy and security measures are in place and regularly updated
    • Develop a roadmap for continuous platform improvement and feature development
    • Provide clear communication about any platform updates or changes to users
vendor-relationshipscustomer-engagementvendor-managercustomer-service-managerit-support-teammarketing-team
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Strategies and tactics for migrating users from Windows 10 to Windows 11

  • ⛳️ Strategy 1: Communicate and plan

    • Announce the migration plan to all users via email and intranet
    • Schedule meetings with department heads to discuss migration timelines
    • Create a migration FAQ document and distribute it
    • Establish a helpdesk for migration-related queries
    • Notify users about the features and benefits of Windows 11
    • Set up a migration timeline with milestones
    • Identify and list critical applications that need testing
    • Inform users about any potential downtime
    • Provide clear instructions for backup and data preservation
    • Create a feedback loop for users to report issues and suggestions

  • ⛳️ Strategy 2: Test and prepare

    • Select a pilot group of users to test the Windows 11 migration
    • Ensure critical applications are compatible with Windows 11
    • Configure a test environment to simulate the migration
    • Document any issues encountered during the pilot phase
    • Adjust migration plans based on pilot feedback
    • Prepare a step-by-step guide for the migration process
    • Create a checklist for post-migration tasks
    • Gather resources such as software keys and drivers
    • Ensure all hardware meets Windows 11 requirements
    • Develop a contingency plan for unexpected issues

  • ⛳️ Strategy 3: Execute and support

    • Initiate the migration process department by department
    • Perform regular check-ins with users during their migration
    • Provide on-site and remote support for any technical issues
    • Monitor the migration progress and update the timeline as needed
    • Ensure users' data is successfully transferred and accessible
    • Train users on Windows 11 features and functionalities
    • Keep communication channels open for troubleshooting
    • Collect feedback from users post-migration
    • Address any reported issues promptly
    • Evaluate the overall success of the migration plan and document lessons learned
migrationefficiencyit-managerhelpdesk-support-specialistit-support-teamuser-training-team
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Strategies and tactics for migrating staff to Windows 11

  • ⛳️ Strategy 1: Plan the migration

    • Conduct a hardware compatibility check for all 1500 staff machines
    • Create a detailed migration timeline with key milestones
    • Ensure all necessary licences and software are acquired
    • Develop a risk assessment and mitigation plan
    • Identify and train a project team to handle the migration
    • Create a communication plan to inform staff of the migration
    • Prepare documentation and training materials for staff
    • Set up a helpdesk or support team for post-migration issues
    • Determine backup procedures for data protection
    • Acquire additional resources if needed for successful migration

  • ⛳️ Strategy 2: Deploy in stages

    • Divide staff into manageable groups for phased deployment
    • Start with a pilot group to identify potential issues
    • Schedule migration sessions during off-peak hours
    • Monitor the pilot group’s transition and gather feedback
    • Adjust the migration plan based on pilot feedback
    • Roll out the migration to subsequent groups one at a time
    • Provide on-site support during each group’s migration
    • Ensure data and application consistency after each phase
    • Update progress and issues daily with the project team
    • Collect post-migration feedback from each group for continuous improvement

  • ⛳️ Strategy 3: Ensure post-migration support

    • Implement a post-migration helpdesk to handle immediate issues
    • Schedule follow-up training sessions for staff
    • Monitor system performance and user satisfaction continuously
    • Regularly check for and install Windows 11 updates
    • Conduct regular team meetings to discuss ongoing issues
    • Document common problems and solutions for reference
    • Arrange for ongoing technical support from the software vendor
    • Encourage staff feedback on the new OS experience
    • Regularly review and improve internal IT processes
    • Plan for periodic audits to ensure compliance and efficiency
migrationwindows-11project-managerit-support-specialistit-support-teammigration-project-team
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How to track your It Manager strategies and tactics

Having a plan is one thing, sticking to it is another.

Having a good strategy is only half the effort. You'll increase significantly your chances of success if you commit to a weekly check-in process.

A tool like Tability can also help you by combining AI and goal-setting to keep you on track.

More strategies recently published

We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.

Planning resources

OKRs are a great way to translate strategies into measurable goals. Here are a list of resources to help you adopt the OKR framework:

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