Executive Sponsors

Successful identity management deployments traditionally cross organizational and political boundaries, which requires buy-in and support from those setting direction for the company. It is critical that executive sponsorship be in place. Planning meetings are an important process for gaining insight from those with a vested interest in the deployment. As the project plan is developed, ensure that its deliverables are inline with the goals of the company as a whole. For example, if cost reduction is a core business driver, collect statistics on current identity management costs and then determine costs such as using the help desk for password resets? Having tangible statistics available can help define a specific return on investment (ROI) as the deployment team attempts to gain executive support. Other company issues that might be relevant include:

• Who benefits from the identity management deployment?

• What organizational problems does an identity management solution solve?

• How does the company address internal issues that might slow the deployment?

Often the identity management concepts and the value of an Access Manager deployment must be related to other executives. A business and technology evangelist can sell the new infrastructure to executives, helping to drive the demand for integration and aid in the acceptance and ultimate success of the infrastructure changes.