Who should ensure is on your side?

[Joe Black]

During a break a colleague of mine said that one of the things he had learned from his tutor was that to get things done in IT - and no doubt keep yourself in work - you should always ensure you have IT support/systems (the people who manage the servers, install the software) on your side.

My take on this was that the people you want on your side are the 'business', the people sponsoring the project, and the end-users etc who in turn directly report to them.

So what's the vote here?

[SandyDown]

During a break a colleague of mine said that one of the things he had learned from his tutor was that to get things done in IT - and no doubt keep yourself in work - you should always ensure you have IT support/systems (the people who manage the servers, install the software) on your side.

My take on this was that the people you want on your side are the 'business', the people sponsoring the project, and the end-users etc who in turn directly report to them.

So what's the vote here?

everyone who has any interest in the project should be treated as a stakeholder, this includes team members, business, testers, users etc etc ... my principal: if I treat everyone I work with as if they are my client who pays me, and I should be OK

[oraclesmith]

the IT Director's PA.

[Joe Black]

everyone who has any interest in the project should be treated as a stakeholder, this includes team members, business, testers, users etc etc ... my principal: if I treat everyone I work with as if they are my client who pays me, and I should be OK

Unfortunately as you probably know, in life and in large corporations different groups sometimes have different agendas and politics. Each wanting things to be done their way. Sometimes you have to choose.

the IT Director's PA.

That could work out very good, or very, very bad, depending on how bad a boy you are...

[Buffoon]

Sponsor should be top every time. Once the big cheese is on side the rest (apart from your contractor buddies) can go to hell because they have to do what they are told. That includes whoever signs the timesheet.

[The Lone Gunman]

I agree with OS.
IT managers PA. S/he will get stuff done for you.
Office secretarial staff. Always useful.
Office cleaners. Good for gossip and they always know first.