ISEB Practitioner Certificate in Software Asset Management

Course Overview

The course is based on the Software Asset Management (SAM) processes as described in the SAM module within the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL). It addresses the complex subject of managing software assets from the initial business need, through the Software Asset Management lifecycle, up to and including retirement. It also covers the interdependencies between IT Service Management principles and SAM and prepares the candidate for the examination.

Audience

This course is designed for those staff working in IT procurement or software management, who wants to understand where they fit in to the wider IT environment and gain knowledge in the area of Software Asset Management.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

Configuration managers, Executive sponsors, IT auditors, IT process and service managers, Product managers, IT Asset and SAM managers, Software compliance managers.

Skills Gained

On completion candidates should be able to:

• Understand the risks, costs, challenges and benefits associated with SAM
• Understand the different types of licensing metrics commonly used by commercial software vendors
• Recognise the potential problems that arise when implementing a SAM program
• Gather the appropriate information about the organisation's environment
• Make a comprehensive Business Case for SAM
• Understand the key SAM processes required to ensure an effective SAM program
• Specify the requirements for evaluating and selecting the correct tools for SAM
• Develop and communicate the organisation's Software Policy
• Plan for the development and implementation of all relevant SAM policies, procedures and tools
• Establish and maintain a SAM database
• Understand how to control all activities associated with the software lifecycle
• Detect, escalate and manage all exceptions with SAM policies, processes, procedures and license rights
• Manage all relationships within the business, partners and suppliers to agreed service levels
• Continually assess the effectiveness of policies and procedures

Examinations

EXAMINATION FORMAT

The examination is a three hour closed-book written paper consisting of 5 questions based on 1 scenario. Pass mark is 60%, Distinction is 80%.

PREPARING FOR EXAMINATIONS

All candidates will need to:

• hold the ISEB SAM Essentials qualification;
• have at least three months of experience in ALL phases of SAM;
• have a comprehensive understanding of ITIL Best Practices SAM;
• have attended an accredited training course.

Prerequisites

• Candidates should have 1-2 years experience in IT and be involved in the management or procurement of software
• They must hold the ISEB Certificate in Software Asset Management Essentials and should also have a good awareness of IT Service Management terminology and concepts

Course Outline

INTRODUCTION

Understand the overall business benefits that can be achieved by managing software assets effectively. In addition, understand the risks associated with the mismanagement of these assets. On completion of this section of the course the candidate should be able to:

• Identify the need for SAM and understand the SAM principles
• Recognise the industry standards and available best practice
• Understand the risks, costs, challenges and benefits associated with SAM

UNDERSTAND THE SCOPE OF SAM

Prior to planning and implementing an effective SAM programme, understand the overall scope, approach, key dependencies, challenges and critical success factors required to deploy SAM effectively. On completion of this section of the course the candidate should be able to:

• Recognise the different stages of the software life cycle
• Understand the different categories of software and their associated rights
• Recognise all the key relationships and partners associated with SAM
• Identify all key dependencies and interfaces required to implement effective SAM
• Understand the key SAM processes
• Discuss the different approaches and expected outcomes required
• Recognise the common challenges and pitfalls of implementing SAM
• Identify the importance of awareness and training
• Recognise the possible effects on an organisation's culture
• Identify how best to implement a SAM project

MAKING A BUSINESS CASE

Understand how to gather the necessary information required to document a comprehensive Business Case, detailing how the business would benefit from implementing an effective SAM programme and then being able to communicate that to the business. On completion of this section of the course the candidate should be able to:

• Develop a vision and strategy for SAM
• Perform a Risk Assessment
• Analyse the Gap between current and desired future state
• Determine the requirements for SAM
• Clearly identify business benefit from SAM
• Document the Business Case
• Sell the Business Case

PLANNING

Understand how to prepare for an effective SAM programme, ensuring appropriate preparation and planning is made for the effective and efficient accomplishment of all SAM objectives. On completion of this section of the course the candidate should be able to:

• Identify the scope and size of the task
• Identify sponsor and key stakeholder requirements
• Develop and prioritise an outline project plan aligned to the Business Case
• Establish key objectives and deliverables and milestones
• Identify and manage the projects key dependencies
• Understand the SAM processes and procedures required
• Determine key performance indicators and critical success factors Identify project resource requirements
• Identify and implement a 'Stopgap' process
• Produce a communication plan to raise awareness within the organisation
• Produce an Implementation Plan
• Review the SAM tools and data sources
• Define the agreed reporting content and the frequency of distribution
• Review and gain commitment to the Implementation Plan with all key stakeholders

IMPLEMENTATION

Understand how to implement the agreed project plan ensuring that the project meets all of the project deliverables. On completion of this section of course the candidate should be able to:

• Develop an overall software policy encompassing all aspects of software
• Understand how to effectively distribute and enforce the software policy
• Confirm IT Infrastructure and change controls are in place to ensure SAM tools remain operational
• Implement and configure the SAM tools and data sources
• Create an effective procedure for the protection and retention of all software licences and media
• Implement the agreed SAM processes and ensure roles and responsibilities are effectively assigned
• Collect and analyse the software audit data
• Establish the organisation's compliance status and understand the procedures to remedy any associated risk
• Monitor and review all objectives and measure the deliverables against the defined key performance indicators
• Establish and implement service level management for software asset management
• Manage the transition from implementation to business as usual.

ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN CONTROL

Understand how to establish and maintain the management system and infrastructure within which the SAM processes are implemented and ensure that responsibility for management of software assets is recognized at the corporate board level, and that appropriate mechanisms are in place to ensure the proper discharge of this responsibility. On completion of this section of the course the candidate should be able to:

• Understand how to continually maintain and monitor the SAM processes
• Establish a method of continued improvement for each SAM process
• Prevent complacency and regression within each process
• Understand how to facilitate the SAM processes ensuring that the overall SAM objectives and benefits are being achieved
• Understand how to detect, escalate and manage all exceptions to SAM policies, processes, and procedures

SOFTWARE LICENSING OVERVIEW

Understand the basics of Licensing and recognise the common characteristics of each type of licence agreement. On completion of this section of the course the candidate should be able to:

• Establish when a licence is required
• Understand the responsibilities, liabilities and the rights associated with using software
• Understand the different types of licence agreements (e.g. perpetual, upgrade, client access licenses and maintenance)
• Prevent the procurement of counterfeit software
• Understand the software distribution chain and where to go to get license help
• Recognise what constitutes a 'Proof of licence'

ISEB Practitioner Certificate in Software Asset Management / IP-SAM