Virtualization Scope Analysis

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Introduction: How to Use This Tool

Fill in the following sections. See the examples provided to assist you. Remember to delete all grey help text as you complete this tool. Starting with the proposition that the majority of x86 servers will eventually function within the enterprise as hosted virtual machines, use the following to consider the scope, impact, and planning implications of server virtualization. This exercise will inform long term planning for moving to and managing a dominant virtual server infrastructure. 1. Reach and Impact. Who will be affected directly and immediately by a large scale virtualization of the server infrastructure? What proportion of IT users across the organization will be impacted? Consider users of key production systems as well as departments that are owners of specific applications for key business processes. Will widespread implementation of virtualization require approval/support of external departments? Write your ideas below: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Finance department application owners. Business app developers and analysts.

[Insert more rows as needed] 2. Standards and Procedures. What current standards and procedures will be impacted by a move to widespread server virtualization? What documented and repeatable management procedures will need to be modified to address virtual machines? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Service Level Agreements will need to reflect virtual machine provisioning. Current standards for server replacement will need to be updated. Disaster recovery plans will need to incorporate backup/recovery plans for VMs.

[Insert more rows as needed] 3. Cost. How will managed virtual infrastructure impact current cost models for IT services? Consider both positive and negative potential impacts. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. New software costs for virtualization software Reduced longer term Capex from server consolidation.

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Virtualization Scope Analysis

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Planning Constraints
As much as we would all like to believe that everybody in an organization is headed in the same direction, the reality is that there are numerous internal agendas. Successful implementation of any plan relies on a number of factors that are outside your control. Think about the constraints you will encounter in order to implement your plan. List the major constraints below. For example, you may have difficulty scheduling time with all of the stakeholders. Alternatively, if IT has historically served in a support capacity at your company, you may face resistance from senior management who do not see the need for a strategic IT plan for the enterprise. Constraint 1 Current application provisioning practices closely linked to hardware specification.

To Overcome Constrain 1

Move to a service model where service levels are linked to processor, memory, storage, and bandwidth provisioning of applications. Constraint 2 Senior management is a strong proponent of disaster recovery planning but is lukewarm to the use of virtual machines for server consolidation. To Overcome Constrain 2 Run a recovery test of running virtual servers and compare recovery time and recovery point achievement against non-virtual environment. Constraint 3 To Overcome Constrain 3 Constraint 4 To Overcome Constrain 4 Constraint 5 To Overcome Constrain 5

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Identify Stakeholders
A stakeholder is anybody from whom you will require cooperation during the planning process. Think carefully about this list your list should consist not only of management above you, but also of your peers and subordinates. For interdepartmental cooperation, consider power users from other departments to act as representatives in place of managers (provided, of course, that the power users manager has full confidence in that person to represent the department). Identify the key stakeholders that you would want on an implementation committee or workgroup. Consider the scope and constraints analysis above. Who would you want to enlist as champions of virtualization throughout the enterprise? Who are the potential road blocks who still need to be convinced? Think also of executive sponsors who can be instrumental in supporting and enabling implementation.

Virtualization Scope Analysis

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Stakeholder Name 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Stakeholder Title

Note: Even if a stakeholder is unable to participate in the planning process as a steering committee member, they may be able to attend subject specific meetings and be available for informal contact. They can also be champions for your strategic plan when it is completed. Keep in touch with all potential allies.

List High Level Strategic Goals:

Think about how a virtual machine infrastructure could advance the goals of your organization. Now narrow the list down to three to five specific objectives. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Reduce IT capital cost through efficient resource utilization and consolidation. Improve availability and recoverability of server infrastructure.

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