A lot of what we end up doing in the information technology field is not really about the technology itself but rather choosing the right figurative road to take with respect to technology. Those who are successful in IT know how to bring together the needs of an organization with what is available and figure out which is the right technology to meet those needs.
This paradigm can be applied to most software and IT industry roles.
Product managers are an example of this. Software product managers work with their customers to determine the things the software needs, the engineering teams to see what is possible and practical, and ultimately with the business planning and marketing to ensure that the approach will meet the business needs.
IT architects are another example. They are given requirements from their business leaders and internal customers and work with internal and perhaps external partners to implement the desired solutions which comprise the enterprise architecture.
On a smaller and more iterative scale, consultants and engineers are presented with a problem or problems which will be solved by information technology, and they must choose the right solution and implement it.
It’s all about determining the right path and taking the organization down it.
Of course, determining the right road to take is the hardest thing to do. Deriving what is needed is only the first step. Gaining enough technical expertise and experience so that the right solution can be selected and implemented is the next step. This is why people who are the best at choosing the right technology road to take are often the people who implemented similar solutions before.
I have had extraordinary experiences helping organizations choose the right information technology roads to take. From being a field consultant early in my career, providing Security and Identity solutions at Microsoft, developing the Microsoft engineering delivery organizations, to building new Azure AD features. I have been blessed by the opportunity to lead and contribute in so many companies and institutions and in all parts of the globe over the years.
In this blog I will recount some of those experiences but also provide my insights, repost old blog posts from my AD blog circa 2006-2014 along with updates and commentaries, and provide PowerShell code I wrote which was useful in Security and Identity scenarios with the hope it will help others too. I’ll also discuss technical leadership and my thoughts on technology trends.
We may not be going to the same destination but hit the road with me. It’ll be an interesting walk.
The Road to Take 