Information systems are at the heart of modern business operations. However, poor communication can turn a well-designed IS into a nightmare of breakdowns and inefficiencies. My experience as head of an IT department has taught me a valuable lesson: good communication, combined with effective visual representations, can solve critical problems in record time.
As head of a large IT department, I had to ensure that all critical applications were properly redundant. One of my vital applications was supposed to be redundant across several virtual machines (VMs). However, an unavailability problem revealed a disturbing truth: all these VMs were hosted on a single physical server, a flaw that seriously compromised our architecture.
To solve this problem, I first relied on formal communication. I contacted the head of the data center, hoping that my counterpart in charge of the servers would quickly resolve the error. Despite several weeks of reminders, nothing changed. E-mails and meetings didn’t seem to be enough. It was frustrating to realize that crucial information was going unanswered.
One evening, as I was working late to simplify the modeling of my architecture, the head of the data center dropped by to see me. Taking advantage of this opportunity, I showed him a simplified diagram of our architecture, graphically highlighting the flaw I’d been talking about for weeks. This visual representation immediately caught his attention.
To my surprise, 48 hours after our discussion, the problem was solved. The head of the data center had ordered the technical teams to fix the flaw. This experience radically changed my view of communication in information systems.
This experience taught me that communication isn’t just about sending e-mails or organizing meetings. It involves adapting your message to your audience’s level of understanding, and using visual tools to clarify complex points. The graphic representation of the IS architecture enabled immediate understanding and rapid action.
To avoid such problems in the future, it is crucial to use tools like Carto-SI, which facilitate the visualization and communication of information system architectures. With Carto-SI, managers can easily map their IS, identify gaps and communicate effectively with all stakeholders, avoiding costly misunderstandings and unnecessary delays.
Effective communication is the key to managing and optimizing information systems. Don’t settle for words: use visual tools to clarify your messages and speed up problem resolution. Take a proactive approach with Carto-SI to ensure that your IS runs smoothly and remains aligned with your company’s objectives.
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