GarySat in a meeting, being told "we can't ask the users what they want, because it will take too long and nobody will agree what they want". Followed by "but we've got to appear to be asking them what they want and that they have input" 🙄
vnvobit@WiteWulf could always adopt the macdonald's approach- "You can have anything you like as long as it's on the menu". While crude at least it informs the decision and limits what you have to do to what you can do
@vnvobit yeah, this is kinda what we’re doing. It’s all around tenants/partners who take IT service from the University as part of their tenancy (so mainly printing, internet and telephony). It’s way too complicated right now, and a big staff-time overhead for us to support. We’re looking at either a massively simplified menu of services, or outsourcing it.
@WiteWulf my instinct would be to suggest both. Outsourced org that already provides similar services in serviced office accommodation. The more complicated the more expensive outsourcing is and then rarely delivers the appropriate saving
@vnvobit the other core problem is that we’re all a bunch of stereotypical tofu-munching guardian-reading metro elites in the university and aren’t geared up to providing commercial services. They want 24/7 support, at times when the University is closed, and accurately billing for it. It’s just not what we’re geared up for.
@WiteWulf sounds like outsourcing is way to go but suspect users are in for a shock on pricing. My own experience on outsourced it support (in commercial setting) has been mixed and response times usually aren’t that great
@vnvobit yeah, we’re aware it’s gonna be a shitty experience all around for the users. Not looking forward to it all, tbh