Cis 331 discussion wwek 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Cis 331 discussion wwek 2 - Essay Example This week I would like you to choose a problem (make it simple) and discuss how you would go through the problem solving process to solve this problem. Be sure to discuss whether you would use convergent or divergent thinking. In the IT world we come up against the outsourcing problem on a regular basis.   For me it happened when we had some network security hardware that was coming to the end of its life and we had to decide whether to replace the existing hardware or to outsource the function that the security hardware was performing.   For us, this was more of a convergent discussion than a divergent discussion.   We could have brainstormed different ways to accomplish the security function that the hardware was providing but we didnt have the resources to implement any of the ideas that would have been discussed.   With that out of the way, we decided to work towards finding a solution. After discussing the problem,  we thought it would really come down to a financial decision of whether or not outsourcing the function was more cost effective than purchasing new hardware.   The first step in the process was to gather the facts.   We got quotes for the new hardware and defined what the resource costs were to implement and maintain that hardware.   Then we obtained a list of vendors that provided outsourcing solutions.   We documented everything that we use the current solution for and identified a list of requirements that would be used to evaluate each vendor.   For those vendors that met the list of requirements, we obtained quotes for what it would cost to outsource the security function. Once we had the tangible costs identified  someone suggested that we then make a list of the intangible costs related to both keeping the security function in house vs. outsourcing.   That is one area that I think sometimes gets overlooked in these types of problem solving initiatives.   Because so much focus is put on hard and fast