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8.7 - Create and manage support services/solutions

PCF ID: 20866 | Elements: 62 | Metrics Available: Y | Benchmarkable: 1

Definition

Establishing and managing services for providing support to users of IT services and solutions. Define the plethora of services by which the organization assists users of computers, software products, or other information technology products.

Overview

This process group covers create and manage support services/solutions within the broader context of Manage Information Technology (IT).

Process Hierarchy

Processes

IDProcessPCF IDSub-elementsMetrics
8.7.1Define and establish service delivery strategy208675N
8.7.2Define and develop service support strategy208736N
8.7.3Plan and manage service delivery control208807N
8.7.4Develop and manage infrastructure resource planning208885N
8.7.5Define service support planning2089510N
8.7.6Develop and manage service delivery operations209058N
8.7.7Manage infrastructure resource administration209146N
8.7.8Operate IT user support209216N

8.7.1 - Define and establish service delivery strategy

PCF ID: 20867

Definition: Defining and establishing strategy for delivering IT services and solutions to the users. Design an IT service delivery model that defines the processes and procedures needed to deliver the IT services and solutions.

IDActivityPCF IDTasksMetrics
8.7.1.1Assess business objectives and IT service delivery208680N
8.7.1.2Define IT service delivery portfolio208690N
8.7.1.3Create and maintain IT service delivery model208700N
8.7.1.4Determine IT service delivery locations and activities208710N
8.7.1.5Define IT service delivery sourcing strategy208720N
8.7.1.1 - Assess business objectives and IT service delivery

Definition: Assessing the goals and objectives of IT service delivery and how it contributes to the overall business objectives. Align with the business objectives of the organization.

8.7.1.2 - Define IT service delivery portfolio

Definition: Creating and establishing a repository of IT service delivery offerings.

8.7.1.3 - Create and maintain IT service delivery model

Definition: Design and maintaining an IT service delivery model that defines the processes and procedures needed to deliver the IT services and solutions.

8.7.1.4 - Determine IT service delivery locations and activities

Definition: Determining locations and types of IT services and solutions which need to be delivered.

8.7.1.5 - Define IT service delivery sourcing strategy

Definition: Defining a strategy for sourcing delivery of IT services and solutions. Examine the pros and cons of various sources that can support the delivery process. Select the most feasible and cost-effective sources.

8.7.2 - Define and develop service support strategy

PCF ID: 20873

Definition: Defining and creating a strategy for provision of support to users of IT services and solutions.

IDActivityPCF IDTasksMetrics
8.7.2.1Assess business objectives and IT service support delivery208740N
8.7.2.2Define IT service support portfolio208750N
8.7.2.3Create and maintain IT support model208760N
8.7.2.4Develop IT support service sourcing strategy208770N
8.7.2.5Establish support service framework208780N
8.7.2.6Provide service support tools and technology208790N
8.7.2.1 - Assess business objectives and IT service support delivery

Definition: Assessing the goals of IT service support delivery and how it aligns to contribute to the overall business objectives.

8.7.2.2 - Define IT service support portfolio

Definition: Defining different IT support services and solutions such as remote support and cloud support. Include planned IT initiatives and ongoing IT services (such as application support).

8.7.2.3 - Create and maintain IT support model

Definition: Design and maintaining an IT support model that defines the processes and procedures needed to support users of IT services and solutions.

8.7.2.4 - Develop IT support service sourcing strategy

Definition: Developing a strategy for sourcing resources to support users of IT services and solutions. Establish sources that will make use of e-mail, live support software online, or a tool where users can log a call or incident in order to retrieve IT support.

8.7.2.5 - Establish support service framework

Definition: Creating an agenda for the rules and regulations of support service that deal with providing support to users of IT services and solutions.

8.7.2.6 - Provide service support tools and technology

Definition: Providing the tools and techniques to support users of IT services and solutions, and choosing the most appropriate tools and techniques. Evaluate the pros and cons of all the methodologies and tools available. Choose the most efficient and effective methodology.

8.7.3 - Plan and manage service delivery control

PCF ID: 20880

Definition: Determine and manage service delivery flow across different business functions. Understand the level of services needed by different stakeholders. Identify major service delivery touch points and criticality associated. Ensure timely communication with users.

IDActivityPCF IDTasksMetrics
8.7.3.1Plan operational activities for IT service delivery208816N
8.7.3.1 - Plan operational activities for IT service delivery (6 tasks)

Definition: Planning different delivery services for operational activities within the IT function. Use service delivery systems to manage the IT service delivery services.

IDTaskPCF IDDefinition
8.7.3.1.1Schedule service delivery resources20882Scheduling resources to provide service delivery to IT users. Ensure design, dev...
8.7.3.1.2Maintain/optimize batch job schedule20883Maintaining and scheduling batch jobs to run in the background at a certain date...
8.7.3.1.3Schedule change/release windows20884Determine the timely change or release of IT services or support. Assign periodi...
8.7.3.1.4Schedule/optimize backup and archive activities20885Schedule or optimize backup and archive activities for IT services and solutions...
8.7.3.1.5Balance operational workloads across available inf...20886Balancing workloads of all the processes and services that are provisioned to th...
8.7.3.1.6Determine specific problem support procedures20887Determining process and procedure to provide support for specific IT service pro...

8.7.4 - Develop and manage infrastructure resource planning

PCF ID: 20888

Definition: Developing and managing the resources required for administration of infrastructure. Manage the IT inventory and assets to meet organization's IT resource capacity.

IDActivityPCF IDTasksMetrics
8.7.4.1Develop IT service delivery strategy208890N
8.7.4.2Assess IT infrastructure business objectives208900N
8.7.4.3Determine ongoing IT infrastructure capabilities208910N
8.7.4.4Plan IT infrastructure change208920N
8.7.4.5Plan and budget IT license usage volumes208930N
8.7.4.1 - Develop IT service delivery strategy

Definition: Creating a strategy for delivering IT services and solutions. Establish the sourcing strategy. Establish the delivery process procedures and tools. Examine and choose the most effective methodologies and tools.

8.7.4.2 - Assess IT infrastructure business objectives

Definition: Assessing the goals and objectives of IT infrastructure and how it contributes to the overall business objectives.

8.7.4.3 - Determine ongoing IT infrastructure capabilities

Definition: Determining existing IT infrastructure capabilities. Identify the gaps and needs in order to enhance the existing IT infrastructure to meet growth objectives.

8.7.4.4 - Plan IT infrastructure change

Definition: Identify the gaps and needs of existing IT infrastructure. Plan and develop strategies to upgrade/replace existing IT infrastructure.

8.7.4.5 - Plan and budget IT license usage volumes

Definition: Creating a plan associated with usage volumes of IT licenses. Develop a framework to govern the licensing of an IT services along with identified usage volumes. Determine the amount of investment in IT license usage volumes and how would the license volumes be financed.

8.7.5 - Define service support planning

PCF ID: 20895

Definition: Develop strategies and methodologies to provide service support. Examine service levels, support complexity, stakeholder requirements to offer service support.

IDActivityPCF IDTasksMetrics
8.7.5.1Understand IT support demand patterns208960N
8.7.5.2Determine required support resource levels, responsibilities, and capabilities208970N
8.7.5.3Maintain service support knowledge repository208980N
8.7.5.4Maintain service support learning209430N
8.7.5.5Communicate service support needs208990N
8.7.5.6Define IT escalation mechanisms209000N
8.7.5.7Manage IT service support resources209010N
8.7.5.8Coordinate with external support providers209020N
8.7.5.9Triage IT service delivery incidents209030N
8.7.5.10Monitor IT service support performance209040N
8.7.5.1 - Understand IT support demand patterns

Definition: Evaluate criticality catered by the IT support and expectations to resolve raised or identified issues. Determine the usual requests received for IT support for each area of IT operations. Ensure resolution to every identified or reported issue within specified SLAs.

8.7.5.2 - Determine required support resource levels, responsibilities, and capabilities

Definition: Determining levels of required support resources along with their responsibilities, and capabilities to resolve IT issues. Evaluate and ensure that support resources are fulfilling their responsibilities n a timely manner.

8.7.5.3 - Maintain service support knowledge repository

Definition: Create and maintain service support knowledge repository. Store, maintain, access, revise, and use knowledge for IT services. Review knowledge trends and implement knowledge transfer methodologies for competitive advantage.

8.7.5.4 - Maintain service support learning

Definition: Maintaining and transfer of knowledge towards service support with the change/upgrade in technology over a stipulated period. Ensure IT staff is well trained and tested on the new learning of service support.

8.7.5.5 - Communicate service support needs

Definition: Conveying service support needs within the organization, with the objective of providing required support services. Define processes and procedures needed to support users of IT services and solutions. Convey these procedures to appropriate governing authority.

8.7.5.6 - Define IT escalation mechanisms

Definition: Determining mechanisms to report for a higher degree of decision making depending on the criticality of IT escalations. Define the processes and procedures needed to follow for IT escalation at different levels. Convey the mechanisms within the organization.

8.7.5.7 - Manage IT service support resources

Definition: Managing resources required for administration of IT service support. Establish sources that will make use of e-mail, live support software online, or a tool where users can log a call or incident in order to retrieve IT support.

8.7.5.8 - Coordinate with external support providers

Definition: Developing a strategy that will make use of multiple resources to coordinate with external support providers in order to make the support services work more smoother.

8.7.5.9 - Triage IT service delivery incidents

Definition: Sorting the incidents of IT service delivery in certain order so that the services could be delivered based on the criticality.

8.7.5.10 - Monitor IT service support performance

Definition: Defining methodology and frequency of assessment for measuring and monitoring performance of various processes and activities of IT service support against standard set goals.

8.7.6 - Develop and manage service delivery operations

PCF ID: 20905

Definition: Developing and managing different delivery services using service delivery systems for operational activities within the IT function in order to achieve organizations goal.

IDActivityPCF IDTasksMetrics
8.7.6.1Operate and monitor online systems209060N
8.7.6.2Run and monitor batch job schedule209070N
8.7.6.3Manage service delivery workloads209080N
8.7.6.4Manage infrastructure performance and capacity209090N
8.7.6.5Respond to unplanned operational issues209100N
8.7.6.6Produce and distribute output media209110N
8.7.6.7Monitor IT infrastructure security209120N
8.7.6.8Manage IT infrastructure/data recovery209130N
8.7.6.1 - Operate and monitor online systems

Definition: Operating and defining methodology of assessment for measuring and monitoring performance of online systems against its expected result.

8.7.6.2 - Run and monitor batch job schedule

Definition: Operate and monitor the application of scheduling batch jobs to be run in the background at a certain date and time.

8.7.6.3 - Manage service delivery workloads

Definition: Analyze and manage workload needs in relation to service delivery. Plan resources and mechanism around those workload needs so that services could be delivered smoothly.

8.7.6.4 - Manage infrastructure performance and capacity

Definition: Managing the performance and capacity of infrastructure by using key performance indicators to routinely track the performance and capacity levels. Review performance. Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the infrastructure.

8.7.6.5 - Respond to unplanned operational issues

Definition: Addressing to an issue in operational activities within the IT function, that occur outside of normal routine or preventative maintenance.

8.7.6.6 - Produce and distribute output media

Definition: Identify and introduce resources to display output in a viewable form to key decision makers and evaluators.

8.7.6.7 - Monitor IT infrastructure security

Definition: Identifying, examining, and recognizing any flaw or breach in security of IT infrastructure. Ensure that protocols and guidelines for individual IT components are being followed and there is no misuse of information and breach of individual or organizational privacy.

8.7.6.8 - Manage IT infrastructure/data recovery

Definition: Managing resources of IT infrastructure and their recovery capacity. Manage storage, computer hardware, software, and infrastructure resources that can be stored as inventory or provided by the organization as needed. Managing backup/recovery for IT services and solutions. Use a backup system or application.

8.7.7 - Manage infrastructure resource administration

PCF ID: 20914

Definition: Managing the resources required for administration of IT infrastructure. Manage the IT inventory and assets. Take care of the organization's IT resource capacity.

IDActivityPCF IDTasksMetrics
8.7.7.1Manage infrastructure configuration209150N
8.7.7.2Perform infrastructure component maintenance209160N
8.7.7.3Install/configure/upgrade infrastructure components209170N
8.7.7.4Maintain IT asset records209180N
8.7.7.5Administer IT licenses/user agreements209190N
8.7.7.6Provide IT infrastructure service and capabilities209200N
8.7.7.1 - Manage infrastructure configuration

Definition: Identifying and tracking individual configuration items, documenting functional capabilities and interdependencies of IT infrastructure. Determining the gaps and needs in order to enhance existing infrastructure configuration.

8.7.7.2 - Perform infrastructure component maintenance

Definition: Evaluating and maintaining all aspects of infrastructure component maintenance. Ensure that all components of an IT infrastructure are functioning properly as per the expectation. Maintenance includes all preventative, routine, and corrective measures.

8.7.7.3 - Install/configure/upgrade infrastructure components

Definition: Installing/configuring/upgrading all the components required for operational activities within IT infrastructure. Ensure that all components of an IT infrastructure are functioning properly and updated to latest version/technology.

8.7.7.4 - Maintain IT asset records

Definition: Maintaining the complete list of IT items or resources available with the organization with the details on date of purchase, licenses, deployment and SLAs.

8.7.7.5 - Administer IT licenses/user agreements

Definition: Administering and overseeing the terms and policies associated with licensing the IT intellectual property. Create and manage the policies and terms governing the possible granting of a license to any external agent. Demarcate a clear framework that governs the licensing of any patents or copyrights held by the organization.

8.7.7.6 - Provide IT infrastructure service and capabilities

Definition: Providing all the infrastructure services and capabilities required for operational activities within the IT function supporting overall business objectives.

8.7.8 - Operate IT user support

PCF ID: 20921

Definition: Managing systematic user support functionality and capability through defined procedures. Determine, record, and monitor user requests. Execute issue/request resolution. Utilize escalation path when needed. Resolve issue/request.

IDActivityPCF IDTasksMetrics
8.7.8.1Triage IT issues/requests209220N
8.7.8.2Provide IT resolution capabilities209230N
8.7.8.3Manage IT user requests209250N
8.7.8.4Escalate IT requests209260N
8.7.8.5Resolve IT issues/requests209270N
8.7.8.6Execute IT continuity and recovery action209280N
8.7.8.1 - Triage IT issues/requests

Definition: Evaluate and assign IT issues/requests accordingly to allow for the correct routing of IT issues to the relevant support teams.

8.7.8.2 - Provide IT resolution capabilities

Definition: Providing the necessary skills and competencies required to efficiently provide IT resolution through the support structure.

8.7.8.3 - Manage IT user requests

Definition: Creating an effective plan and structure to address and resolve requests of IT users. Determine, record, and monitor user requests. Obtain information about the effectiveness and performance of the user request handling process from the IT users through various means.

8.7.8.4 - Escalate IT requests

Definition: Follow processes and procedures to escalate IT requests to required levels for resolution or effective decision making when necessary.

8.7.8.5 - Resolve IT issues/requests

Definition: Creating a structure to resolve issues/requests of IT services using different mechanisms.

8.7.8.6 - Execute IT continuity and recovery action

Definition: Successfully implement preventive measures to manage IT risk of exposure to internal and external threats. Integrating the disciplines of Emergency Response, Crisis Management, Disaster Recovery (technology continuity) and Business Continuity for IT.

Change Summary (v7.2.1 vs v6.1.1)

Changes indicated by:

  • +XXXXX - New element added
  • -XXXXX - Element removed
  • cXXXXX - Element changed
  • NEW - Newly introduced

Complete Element List with Definitions

All 62 elements
IDNameDefinition
8.7Create and manage support services/solutionsEstablishing and managing services for providing support to users of IT services and solutions. Defi...
8.7.1Define and establish service delivery st...Defining and establishing strategy for delivering IT services and solutions to the users. Design an ...
8.7.1.1Assess business objectives and IT servic...Assessing the goals and objectives of IT service delivery and how it contributes to the overall busi...
8.7.1.2Define IT service delivery portfolioCreating and establishing a repository of IT service delivery offerings.
8.7.1.3Create and maintain IT service delivery ...Design and maintaining an IT service delivery model that defines the processes and procedures needed...
8.7.1.4Determine IT service delivery locations ...Determining locations and types of IT services and solutions which need to be delivered.
8.7.1.5Define IT service delivery sourcing stra...Defining a strategy for sourcing delivery of IT services and solutions. Examine the pros and cons of...
8.7.2Define and develop service support strat...Defining and creating a strategy for provision of support to users of IT services and solutions.
8.7.2.1Assess business objectives and IT servic...Assessing the goals of IT service support delivery and how it aligns to contribute to the overall bu...
8.7.2.2Define IT service support portfolioDefining different IT support services and solutions such as remote support and cloud support. Inclu...
8.7.2.3Create and maintain IT support modelDesign and maintaining an IT support model that defines the processes and procedures needed to suppo...
8.7.2.4Develop IT support service sourcing stra...Developing a strategy for sourcing resources to support users of IT services and solutions. Establis...
8.7.2.5Establish support service frameworkCreating an agenda for the rules and regulations of support service that deal with providing support...
8.7.2.6Provide service support tools and techno...Providing the tools and techniques to support users of IT services and solutions, and choosing the m...
8.7.3Plan and manage service delivery controlDetermine and manage service delivery flow across different business functions. Understand the level...
8.7.3.1Plan operational activities for IT servi...Planning different delivery services for operational activities within the IT function. Use service ...
8.7.3.1.1Schedule service delivery resourcesScheduling resources to provide service delivery to IT users. Ensure design, development, deployment...
8.7.3.1.2Maintain/optimize batch job scheduleMaintaining and scheduling batch jobs to run in the background at a certain date and time.
8.7.3.1.3Schedule change/release windowsDetermine the timely change or release of IT services or support. Assign periodic release/change to ...
8.7.3.1.4Schedule/optimize backup and archive act...Schedule or optimize backup and archive activities for IT services and solutions. Use a backup syste...
8.7.3.1.5Balance operational workloads across ava...Balancing workloads of all the processes and services that are provisioned to their internal or exte...
8.7.3.1.6Determine specific problem support proce...Determining process and procedure to provide support for specific IT service problems.
8.7.4Develop and manage infrastructure resour...Developing and managing the resources required for administration of infrastructure. Manage the IT i...
8.7.4.1Develop IT service delivery strategyCreating a strategy for delivering IT services and solutions. Establish the sourcing strategy. Estab...
8.7.4.2Assess IT infrastructure business object...Assessing the goals and objectives of IT infrastructure and how it contributes to the overall busine...
8.7.4.3Determine ongoing IT infrastructure capa...Determining existing IT infrastructure capabilities. Identify the gaps and needs in order to enhance...
8.7.4.4Plan IT infrastructure changeIdentify the gaps and needs of existing IT infrastructure. Plan and develop strategies to upgrade/re...
8.7.4.5Plan and budget IT license usage volumesCreating a plan associated with usage volumes of IT licenses. Develop a framework to govern the lice...
8.7.5Define service support planningDevelop strategies and methodologies to provide service support. Examine service levels, support com...
8.7.5.1Understand IT support demand patternsEvaluate criticality catered by the IT support and expectations to resolve raised or identified issu...
8.7.5.2Determine required support resource leve...Determining levels of required support resources along with their responsibilities, and capabilities...
8.7.5.3Maintain service support knowledge repos...Create and maintain service support knowledge repository. Store, maintain, access, revise, and use k...
8.7.5.4Maintain service support learningMaintaining and transfer of knowledge towards service support with the change/upgrade in technology ...
8.7.5.5Communicate service support needsConveying service support needs within the organization, with the objective of providing required su...
8.7.5.6Define IT escalation mechanismsDetermining mechanisms to report for a higher degree of decision making depending on the criticality...
8.7.5.7Manage IT service support resourcesManaging resources required for administration of IT service support. Establish sources that will ma...
8.7.5.8Coordinate with external support provide...Developing a strategy that will make use of multiple resources to coordinate with external support p...
8.7.5.9Triage IT service delivery incidentsSorting the incidents of IT service delivery in certain order so that the services could be delivere...
8.7.5.10Monitor IT service support performanceDefining methodology and frequency of assessment for measuring and monitoring performance of various...
8.7.6Develop and manage service delivery oper...Developing and managing different delivery services using service delivery systems for operational a...
8.7.6.1Operate and monitor online systemsOperating and defining methodology of assessment for measuring and monitoring performance of online ...
8.7.6.2Run and monitor batch job scheduleOperate and monitor the application of scheduling batch jobs to be run in the background at a certai...
8.7.6.3Manage service delivery workloadsAnalyze and manage workload needs in relation to service delivery. Plan resources and mechanism arou...
8.7.6.4Manage infrastructure performance and ca...Managing the performance and capacity of infrastructure by using key performance indicators to routi...
8.7.6.5Respond to unplanned operational issuesAddressing to an issue in operational activities within the IT function, that occur outside of norma...
8.7.6.6Produce and distribute output mediaIdentify and introduce resources to display output in a viewable form to key decision makers and eva...
8.7.6.7Monitor IT infrastructure securityIdentifying, examining, and recognizing any flaw or breach in security of IT infrastructure. Ensure ...
8.7.6.8Manage IT infrastructure/data recoveryManaging resources of IT infrastructure and their recovery capacity. Manage storage, computer hardwa...
8.7.7Manage infrastructure resource administr...Managing the resources required for administration of IT infrastructure. Manage the IT inventory and...
8.7.7.1Manage infrastructure configurationIdentifying and tracking individual configuration items, documenting functional capabilities and int...
8.7.7.2Perform infrastructure component mainten...Evaluating and maintaining all aspects of infrastructure component maintenance. Ensure that all comp...
8.7.7.3Install/configure/upgrade infrastructure...Installing/configuring/upgrading all the components required for operational activities within IT in...
8.7.7.4Maintain IT asset recordsMaintaining the complete list of IT items or resources available with the organization with the deta...
8.7.7.5Administer IT licenses/user agreementsAdministering and overseeing the terms and policies associated with licensing the IT intellectual pr...
8.7.7.6Provide IT infrastructure service and ca...Providing all the infrastructure services and capabilities required for operational activities withi...
8.7.8Operate IT user supportManaging systematic user support functionality and capability through defined procedures. Determine,...
8.7.8.1Triage IT issues/requestsEvaluate and assign IT issues/requests accordingly to allow for the correct routing of IT issues to ...
8.7.8.2Provide IT resolution capabilitiesProviding the necessary skills and competencies required to efficiently provide IT resolution throug...
8.7.8.3Manage IT user requestsCreating an effective plan and structure to address and resolve requests of IT users. Determine, rec...
8.7.8.4Escalate IT requestsFollow processes and procedures to escalate IT requests to required levels for resolution or effecti...
8.7.8.5Resolve IT issues/requestsCreating a structure to resolve issues/requests of IT services using different mechanisms.
8.7.8.6Execute IT continuity and recovery actio...Successfully implement preventive measures to manage IT risk of exposure to internal and external th...

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