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ESM 與 ITSM:差異與相似之處

ESM 與 ITSM:將服務管理擴展至 IT 以外的領域

企業服務管理(Enterprise Service Management, ESM)將 IT 服務管理(IT Service Management, ITSM)的成熟原則擴展至整個組織。當公司將這些以服務為導向的實踐應用於 IT 以外的部門時,服務管理的策略價值便會提升,從而使技術、業務流程與全公司的目標保持一致。

然而,ESM 並非一體適用的解決方案。決定專注於 ITSM 還是擴展至 ESM,取決於企業的成熟度、需求和策略優先順序。本文旨在闡明這兩個概念之間的關係,探討它們的相同與不同之處,並說明在何種情況下採用 ESM 策略最為合適。


什麼是 IT 服務管理(ITSM)?

IT 服務管理(ITSM)是一個策略性框架,用於企業如何設計、交付、管理和改進其技術服務。ITSM 透過專門的工具和工作流程,專注於將 IT 服務與企業及其客戶的需求對齊。其主要目標是透過有效的 IT 管理,提升業務績效、提高生產力並增加用戶滿意度。

ITSM 為核心 IT 功能提供了架構,協助企業在優化預算的同時實現業務目標。ITIL®(資訊科技基礎架構庫)是實施 ITSM 的業界標準框架,它概述了 34 項實踐,包括以下關鍵流程:

  • 事件管理(Incident Management): 盡快恢復正常的服務運作。
  • 問題管理(Problem Management): 識別並解決事件的根本原因。
  • 變更管理(Change Management): 控制所有變更的生命週期,以最大限度地減少干擾。
  • 資產管理(Asset Management): 在資產的整個生命週期內進行追蹤和管理。

ITSM 的優勢

當 IT 部門在業務營運中扮演核心角色時,成熟的 ITSM 實踐能帶來顯著的優勢:

  • 有效的 IT 治理:安全且高效地管理整個 IT 環境。
  • 更快的解決速度:迅速處理並解決事件及其潛在問題。
  • 透明的變更:實施系統變更時具有清晰的可追溯性,並將風險降至最低。
  • 清晰的可見度:全面掌握 IT 資產及其相互依賴關係。

實例分享:薩克森邦學校與教育辦公室(LaSuB)

LaSuB 曾為其複雜且低效的 IT 支援系統所困擾。透過導入 OTRS 集中化的 ITSM 解決方案,他們簡化了請求管理流程。現在,服務單和備註可以輕鬆地分派給正確的團隊,即使是小團隊也能高效運作並提供卓越的服務。


什麼是企業服務管理(ESM)?

企業服務管理(ESM)是將 ITSM 的原則、實踐和技術應用於其他業務部門。人力資源、法務、設施、財務和行銷等領域的團隊採用服務管理模式來建構其工作,從而在整個企業內創造一致且高品質的服務體驗。

簡而言之,ESM 借鑒 ITSM 的藍圖,在企業範圍內提升組織能力、可見度、溝通和效率。

ESM 的優勢

一個實施完善的 ESM 策略能優化整個企業的流程並推動策略性業務目標的實現。主要優勢包括:

  • 改善服務體驗:客戶和員工能獲得一致、高品質的服務,無需長時間等待或因溝通不良而產生問題。
  • 提升服務人員滿意度:各部門的支援人員因擁有清晰的架構和透明的工作流程而受益,從而減輕壓力。
  • 節省成本:高效的自動化流程降低了直接營運成本和機會成本。
  • 持續改進:結構化的服務組合有助於主動管理和長期優化。
  • 提高生產力:日常任務的自動化使員工能專注於複雜且具附加價值的工作。

ESM 實踐:新員工入職流程

新員工入職是一個直接影響員工留任率的關鍵流程。若沒有 ESM,這可能是一段混亂的經歷。有了 ESM,自動化的工作流程能協調每一步:由人資部門啟動流程,IT 部門配置硬件和帳戶,設施部門準備好辦公空間,而招聘經理會收到準備培訓計畫的通知。新員工在第一天報到時,一切所需都已準備就緒,確保了一個順利而正面的開始。

其他例子包括:

  • 內部自助服務入口網站:員工無需提交服務單,即可找到有關人資政策或設施請求的常見問題解答。
  • 簡化的審批流程:為財務或法務審批建立結構化的工作流程,確保請求得到追蹤、呈報並在規定時間內解決。

ITSM 與 ESM 比較:主要異同點

由於 ESM 是 ITSM 的延伸,這兩個概念在「服務管理」上共享一個共同的基礎。主要區別在於其範疇:「IT」代表資訊科技,而「E」則代表企業。

共同基礎

ITSM 和 ESM 都利用相同的核心原則來提供高效、目標導向的服務:

  • 以客戶為中心:強調滿足終端用戶(無論是外部客戶還是內部員工)的需求。
  • 高效的工作流程:標準化流程能改善協作並節省時間。
  • 自動化:減少人為錯誤,讓團隊能專注於更具策略性的任務。
  • 自助服務:讓使用者能夠 24/7 全天候解決簡單問題的入口網站。
  • 知識管理:集中化的知識庫,提供常見問題、指南和解決方案以加速支援。
  • 通用工具:使用類似的軟件來管理服務單、工作流程和服務。

主要差異

核心差異在於應用領域。ITSM 管理技術服務,而 ESM 則將此模式擴展至管理業務服務。

面向IT 服務管理(ITSM)企業服務管理(ESM)
焦點與 IT 相關的服務(例如:系統升級、存取權限請求、應用程式支援)。跨部門的業務導向服務(例如:新員工入職、合約審批、設施請求)。
範疇局限於 IT 部門及其服務。涵蓋整個企業(人資、法務、財務等)。
策略對齊將 IT 績效與業務目標對齊。直接支持更廣泛的業務目標,如全企業的成本節約和客戶滿意度。
成熟度一個發展成熟的學科,擁有如 ITIL® 等標準化框架。一個新興的實踐,需要將 ITIL 原則應用於非技術領域。

本質上:ITSM 完善了 IT 內部的服務交付。ESM 則將這些完善的實踐擴展至整個企業。


ITSM 或 ESM:哪種方法適合您?

ITSM 和 ESM 並非互相排斥;它們代表了服務管理成熟度的連續體。真正的問題不是您應該選擇哪一個,而是您應該在何時從 ITSM 擴展到 ESM。一個擁有成熟 ITSM 實踐的 IT 部門,完全有能力引領這一演進。

何時應專注於 ITSM

在以下情況下,專注於 ITSM 至關重要:

  • 主要目標是為複雜且相互依賴的 IT 環境帶來秩序和效率。
  • 其他業務部門尚未習慣以流程為導向的工作方式,需要基礎的服務管理概念。

何時應採用 ESM

在以下情況下,擴展至 ESM 是合乎邏輯的下一步:

  • 您的 ITSM 實踐已成熟並持續創造價值。
  • 效率低下的跨部門流程(如新員工入職或採購)正在造成瓶頸和困擾。
  • 您的企業已準備好在所有業務職能中標準化服務交付並利用自動化。

最有效的方法是建立在您 ITSM 的成功基礎之上。將其逐步發展為全面的 ESM 策略,可以從像人資這樣處理大量複雜請求、並能立即從結構化服務管理中受益的部門開始。


總結:擴展成功模式

ITSM 和 ESM 是同一強大原則的不同體現:以高效、一致的方式提供卓越的服務。如果 ITSM 已經在您的 IT 部門取得成功,那麼您就有了一個成熟的成功模式,可以讓整個企業受益。

雖然 ESM 仍不如 ITSM 普及,但它為早期採用者提供了顯著的競爭優勢。透過建立一個高度結構化、以結果為導向的服務文化,ESM 有助於實現關鍵業務目標,並營造一個更具協作性、效率和生產力的工作環境。

關於 OTRS

OTRS(原名為 Open-Source Ticket Request System)是一套服務管理軟體套件,包含專員入口網頁(agent portal)、管理員儀表板(admin dashboard)及客戶入口網頁(customer portal)。 在專員入口網頁中,團隊能夠處理來自內部或外部客戶的案件與請求。此處提供多種方式來檢視這些資訊,以及客戶和相關數據。 顧名思義,管理員儀表板讓系統管理員能夠管理系統:功能眾多,包括角色與群組、流程自動化、頻道整合以及 CMDB/資料庫選項。 第三個組件,客戶入口網頁,則類似一個可客製化的網頁,可供與客戶共享資訊,並讓客戶端能夠追蹤自己的請求進度。

關於Version 2

Version 2 Digital 是立足亞洲的增值代理商及IT開發者。公司在網絡安全、雲端、數據保護、終端設備、基礎設施、系統監控、存儲、網絡管理、商業生產力和通信產品等各個領域代理發展各種 IT 產品。透過公司龐大的網絡、通路、銷售點、分銷商及合作夥伴,Version 2 提供廣被市場讚賞的產品及服務。Version 2 的銷售網絡包括台灣、香港、澳門、中國大陸、新加坡、馬來西亞等各亞太地區,客戶來自各行各業,包括全球 1000 大跨國企業、上市公司、公用事業、醫療、金融、教育機構、政府部門、無數成功的中小企及來自亞洲各城市的消費市場客戶。

IT Solutions: How companies benefit from them

 
 

What are IT solutions?

“That’s the solution!” is how an IT solution should ideally feel. It should solve an existing problem, lead to process optimization or ensure efficient target achievement.

On the technical side, this includes the following:

  • software
  • hardware 
  • data
  • infrastructure, and
  • security mechanisms.

On a qualitative level, these factors include:

  • consulting
  • integration
  • support, and 
  • other services, as necessary. 

Examples include ERP systems, cloud services, IT security solutions, databases, communication platforms and automation tools. 

IT solutions: Definition

An IT solution is a comprehensive approach that goes beyond the mere application of software. It combines components such as hardware, infrastructure, services, integration, support or consulting. It is often individually tailored to a company in order to meet its specific needs.

An IT solution is different from software because it is a complex concept. It may comprise several software products and other elements.

 

What types of problems are solved?

In the corporate world, there are countless problems and opportunities to use information technology in a meaningful way. It is important that an IT solution brings peace of mind to business owners. 

IT solutions: Examples

The following examples use specific categories to illustrate the types of IT solutions available. Each type addresses specific requirements in companies or organizations.

Example #1: Information centralization

These include solutions such as ERP, CRM and HR systems. These are comprehensive, scalable IT solutions that meet the complex requirements of large companies. They integrate various systems and processes, such as financial management, customer relationship management (CRM) or human resources (HR). One of the aims is to manage data centrally and optimize company-wide processes.

Example #2: Data management

Data management solutions help companies organize, store, protect and analyse data effectively and purposefully. In the best case scenario, better decisions can be made based on this and processes can be sensibly revised.

Example #3: Increased IT security

Protecting systems and networks from threats such as hacker attacks or malware is of fundamental importance. The spectrum ranges from firewalls, encryption, analysis and incident identification to comprehensive protection of sensitive company data through an Information Security Management System (ISMS).

Example #4: Communication and collaboration

In the modern corporate world, business has changed. Remote work and large geographical distances are now the norm. Team members must communicate with each other and external parties in a targeted manner. 

By using the right communication and collaboration platforms a strong culture is developed. This also improves the quality of collaboration.

Example #5: Automation and AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) and process automation lead to better outputs. For example, companies benefit from AI chatbots for support or use machine learning for better workflows. The list of benefits of artificial intelligence is long. Related solutions should always should always focus on the practical benefits. 

Example #6: E-commerce

An e-commerce solution supports companies in setting up and operating online stores. It includes functions such as product management, payment processing, ordering processes and marketing tools. An important goal is to offer customers a seamless shopping experience. 

Example #7: Industry-specific solutions

An industry-specific IT solution optimizes processes according to specific requirements. Examples of this include electronic patient records in the healthcare sector or trading systems in the financial sector. In most cases, the aim is to be competitive within one’s own industry or to offer clients a good service.

Application in large companies

Large companies (enterprises) usually have complex IT environments. Each department usually has its own requirements, prerequisites and success metrics. 

Needless to say, solutions must cover a wide range of application scenarios. Selected systems must have a wide range of functionalities,  be highly scalable and integrate easily.

Examples of enterprise solutions include: 

  • ERP systems – for managing business processes
  • CRM tools for customer relationship management or 
  • Data analysis solutions such as business intelligence platforms. 

Use in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) 

Large companies tend to focus on goals such as process optimization, greater security or staying ahead of the competition. In contrast, small and medium-sized enterprises are increasingly focusing on factors such as:

  • cost savings,
  • process digitalization and
  • diving growth.

These require effective solutions that deliver as much performance as possible at the lowest possible cost. They must also be scalable to support the business as it grows.

Typical IT solutions for SMEs may include:

  • Cloud-based business software such as Microsoft 365, 
  • Collaboration tools such as Slack or Trello, or 
  • CRM systems such as HubSpot.

However, IT security also plays an important role here. And, depending on their model, e-commerce solutions, such as web store services, may be practical. 

Customized IT solutions

It’s like clothing: Tailor-made fits best. 

IT service providers can develop options that are individually tailored to specific company needs. These are highly beneficial when there are unique business processes for which a standard offering is not sufficient. For example, automation of a unique business process may be developed individually. 

Of course, a cost-benefit analysis would reveal whether this is possible. In commercial terms, the ROI must be calculated before such a project begins.

Sometimes, these are created in-house. These can be helpful as an interim answer. This gives room for advance planning that will support the longer-term business goals. 

 

Tip: Since customized solutions also mean a high cost factor, it is advisable to choose an IT solution that can be easily adapted to individual needs and requirements.

 

What does your business need today?

When investing in a new solution, it should deliver on an overarching benefit. Examples may be better service provision, reliable security or concrete time savings.

Below are some key benefits to consider. 

1. Greater efficiency

Companies strive for productive and effective work. They also aim for the best possible results with the least possible effort – efficiency. In concrete terms, optimizing or automating processes can save a lot of time, money and resources. At the same time, optimized processes lead to better results. 

2. Increased customer satisfaction

The customer is king. Companies depend on the loyalty of their customers. By using the right tools, processes and training customer satisfaction increases. 

An example of using a solution would be improving communication or enabling personalized services and quick responses to inquiries. A self-service portal, for example, can guide customers quickly to the answers they are looking for.  

3. Competitive advantage

The right IT solution helps companies gain valuable advantages over the competition. For example, automated processes or targeted workflow management can lead to faster and more cost-effective work. AI and IoT technologies also make it  possible to develop new products, services or business models,

4. More security and compliance

The right IT solutions lead to better security in a variety of ways. Examples include data encryption, access controls, backups and restores. 

Professional device management – the proper administration of various devices – also provides effective protection against unauthorized access or data loss. 

In addition, the right IT solutions support compliance with legal requirements, which is particularly important in highly regulated industries.

5. Better decision-making

IT can pave the way for clarity and documentation of data that drives better decisions. 

Data can “nudge” targeted user behavior. Applications such as AI-based summaries can provide a quick overview of complex processes. This means a quick decision about the next step can be made. 

Remember: the cost-benefit ratio must be right 

IT solutions offer many other solutions too. Examples include an optimized user experience, 24/7 service and cost savings through proven IT solution providers.

But, it is crucial that the cost-benefit ratio is high. Companies should have clarity on how they will benefit from selected solutions. Where this can vary greatly from company to company, steps such as a company-specific selection makes sense.

Solving customer problems

OTRS offers customized IT solutions that can be used for many different purposes across all industries. Through good adaptability, fast implementation and reliable local support OTRS customers solve a vast number of operational problems. 

 

Often addressed areas in which OTRS Group works, include:

Conclusion: Apply technology for success

If you have a problem, you should look for a suitable solution as quickly as possible – and find it. This is no different in IT. The subtle difference is that IT often forms the basis for a company’s success. 

It is important to point out the difference between pure software and an IT solution. A solution solves a business problem by using software, services, processes and more. 

Users benefit from the focus on finding benefit-oriented answers to their problems. This includes options that improve upon processes and workflows, security and data-driven – decisions.

Find out how you can best benefit from OTRS IT solutions.


About OTRS

OTRS (originally Open-Source Ticket Request System) is a service management suite. The suite contains an agent portal, admin dashboard and customer portal. In the agent portal, teams process tickets and requests from customers (internal or external). There are various ways in which this information, as well as customer and related data can be viewed. As the name implies, the admin dashboard allows system administrators to manage the system: Options are many, but include roles and groups, process automation, channel integration, and CMDB/database options. The third component, the customer portal, is much like a customizable webpage where information can be shared with customers and requests can be tracked on the customer side.

About Version 2 Digital

Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

Task management: definition, examples, methods, software

Definition: What is task management?

Task management is the way organizations systematically plan work, set priorities and monitor task progress. Tasks are often assigned to fixed processes or projects. The aim is to prioritize them effectively, delegate them and complete them on time. 

The challenge is to have an adequate overview and use resources as optimally as possible. This means both teams and individuals can work productively, in an organized manner, with clear responsibilities and realistic schedules.

How does personal task management manifest itself?

There are many different preferences, methods and tools for organizing, prioritizing and completing tasks in a timely manner. Tools may include calendars, digital boards, Kanban views, to-do lists or whiteboards. Various approaches, like timeboxing, are employed to organize tasks and stay organized.

It is always important that the approach works individually and that it also favors teamwork on the other. A brief example: A team member may plan his tasks using a digital task board. This gives him a good overview and creates transparency for his colleagues.

Task management vs. project management

Tasks may or may not belong to projects. To ensure that projects are implemented successfully and do not experience unnecessary delays, those responsible must spend time planning all of the tasks and their implementation. Project management software can support this effort.

 

“Task management is fundamental for both standard processes and project management.”

Tasks, workflows and processes

At work, many things build on each other: tasks are related to one another. This drives workflows and processes. As such, task management interacts strongly with workflow management and process management.

Here is a brief overview:

  1. Tasks: They form the smallest unit and represent defined activities to be completed and assigned to a specific goal. There is usually a responsible person and a deadline attached to the task.
  2. Workflows: These consist of a sequence of tasks that are completed according to a specific pattern. Workflows outline how tasks are related to each other and how they are carried out. Good workflows promote collaboration and goal-oriented interdependencies between different tasks.
  3. Processes: Processes are made up of several workflows. They are a recurring and holistic sequence of work steps that aim to achieve a specific result. Rules, standards or activities such as process automation help here. 

Examples of good and bad task management 

The key word when it comes to successfully handling tasks is “management”. Targeted management makes a decisive difference in the efficiency of a team.

Example: Hardware for onboarding 

The following example contrasts poor task management with efficient and optimized management. The results in the onboarding experience are clear. 

Poor task management in onboarding

An IT employee is informed by email that they need to procure the necessary hardware for a new employee. However, the task was created so far in advance that it was lost in the employee’s inbox. It was not marked as “Important” or “Urgent” and no separate discussion took place about it. 

To make matters worse, the assignment of the task made little sense. The IT employee had little experience in this area and was already very busy with other tasks. The employee was frustrated. The task should have been assigned to an experienced and less busy colleague.

Now, it’s time for the onboarding and all the required items are not available. The newly hired person has to begin onboarding without the tools required for his work. 

How to make onboarding better with task management

Task management thrives on structure and planning – and the IT employee’s team takes this into account. Before he was assigned the task, a team meeting was held. All members briefly went through their current tasks, including their importance, urgency and prioritization. 

Based on this, he was assigned the task with a generous lead time. He added the task to his personal task board, which he keeps a constant eye on. The task description contained all the important details. The task had deadlines for all subtasks and contacts in case anything is unclear or help is needed.

The IT employee was able to prepare the onboarding in a structured, calm and conscientious manner. There were no “nasty surprises” to fear. The new colleague arrived to find the hardware ready and available on their first day.

 

Important components of a task

Individual tasks are more than just a bullet point on a list that needs to be ticked off. The details make all the difference: they vary depending on the complexity and depth of the planning. They provide structure and organizational clarity. 

 

“If a task has all the important components and sufficient information, it tends to be completed more quickly and with the desired result.”

 

Information is – at a higher level – the main component of a task. In this sense, the requirements of task management overlap strongly with those of information management. The task details can ultimately be broken down and categorized in a meaningful way, as shown below. 

Title and description 

The title should be as meaningful as possible. It should indicate the context and not raise any questions for the person responsible. In addition, the description must be as clear and concise as possible and contain the desired goal. 

Responsibilities

The task must first be clearly assigned to a person with primary responsibility. This may also be several team members at once. Stakeholders should also be informed about the status of the task in question. In addition, there are often dependencies, so that communication with those responsible for other tasks is necessary. 

Priority (importance) 

Task priority is a simple clear classification of how important the respective task is. It helps those responsible with planning and deciding how much concentration to devote to the task. A traffic light system or gradations from priority 1 to 5 are therefore possible.

Current processing status

Having task progress defined is an important step. However, it is even more effective and time-saving if the processing status is displayed directly. 

These assignments, for example, make sense: 

  • “Planned”
  • “In progress”
  • “Under review”
  • “Revision”
  • “Completed”

Time period and effort

For most tasks, the end date – often called the deadline or due date – plays an important role. Less attention is usually paid to the start date of a task, but it is more important in terms of duration. 

Those who focus exclusively on the end date have to estimate for themselves how much effort the task requires. It makes it hard to consider room for disruptive factors and are more likely to miss the deadline. If both the start and end date are specified, there is clarity on how and when to tackle it.

Attachments / resources

Successfully completed tasks don’t just happen. Attachments with documents containing further information, samples, examples or descriptions of contexts are often required. These help the person responsible fully understands a task and can complete it with the desired result. 

Such attachments can also contain working materials or exemplary solutions of comparable tasks. Attachments work best when they are part of a knowledge base, providing access to relevant knowledge in a structured and clear way.

Hierarchy and subtasks

Most tasks are related to other tasks. There are often higher-level tasks that are broken down into subtasks. This structure defines the procedure more precisely and monitors progress more granularly.

 

Task management methods

There are various approaches to task management. All can be effective depending on the type of task, the collaboration model and individual preferences. 

Here is an overview of a few methods as examples. 

1. To-do list

The simple To-do list is the basis of task management. It is a simple but effective method for organizing tasks. It is advisable to prioritize the respective tasks or to create a ranking according to importance. 

For example, the six most important tasks can be placed on a to-do list each day. The list is ranked in order of importance or urgency. 

2. Kanban

A Kanban board can be digital with drag ‘n drop tasks or physical with sticky notes. Tasks are visualized in columns such as “to do”, “in progress”, “under review” and “completed”. The organization in columns can be designed in a variety of ways. For example, the Kanban view in OTRS is suitable for continuous improvements and progress reports.

 

 

3. Timeboxing

Timeboxing works as a time management method. Instead of using a list, a worker enters tasks – with a specific timebox – in a calendar. Such a box sets a fixed time for the task’s completion. 

Timeboxing can be combined with the Pomodoro technique. This is a system in which one works with focus for 25 minutes and then takes a break for 5 minutes.

4. Not-to-do list

This method reverses the idea of the typical to-do list – and can also be used alongside one. Workers write down the tasks that they can skip, postpone or delegate. It helps them to reduce stress and focus on important tasks. 

This approach can help enormously with prioritization. It’s a means for questioning apparent to-dos and making way for really important tasks.

5. Agile task management (Scrum)

This method is aimed at teamwork. It has spread from agile software development and provides clearly defined processes for working together while handling tasks on one’s own. 

Scrum is particularly suitable for teams that complete their tasks in sprints (e.g. in 2-week cycles). These teams coordinate regularly in meetings, such as short stand-ups. A scrum team typically consists of a product owner, a scrum master and developers. 

6. Getting things done (GTD)

This method is about breaking tasks down into specific steps and organizing them. It reduces mental burden while the task is in progress. Users record all their pending tasks in a system. This allows them to prioritize tasks without being disturbed and without the risk of forgetting something important.

 

How can software help with task management?

Modern task management solutions provide an excellent overview of tasks, improve organization, put tasks in relation to each other, remind you of due dates, offer time-saving automation and much more. 

Here are the most important advantages of task management tools in a nutshell: 

  • Users have a good overview by having tasks centrally collected in one place. Everyone knows what is assigned. Structure is added by categorization. And information, like deadlines and reminders, is stored with the task. 
  • Visualizations help to identify progress and dependencies between tasks and to react accordingly.  
  • In order to collaborate and coordinate better, teams can share tasks with each other, communicate clearly and task-specifically in real time. 
  • Teams save a lot of time by having a tool automatically send notifications about tasks. 
  • Software can create reports that show project progress, identify bottlenecks and measure success.
  • With cloud-based software, task management can be synchronized to all desired devices. This makes tasks accessible at any time and from anywhere.

Task management with a ticket system

A ticket system can be used flexibly, including for task management. This type of task management system is particularly popular in IT and support. It records tasks quickly and processes them in an organized manner.

For other areas, too, the main advantages are that tasks can be tracked easily and all those involved are informed. Workflow automation saves a lot of time and all information is available in an organized manner in a ticket.

This is an example of a team process:

  1. Record the task: Those involved record the pending tasks in tickets. The tickets are assigned to the responsible persons and include descriptions, attachments, prioritization (according to importance and urgency) and, if necessary, categories. 
  2. Set the task status: The tickets are each assigned a status – such as “open”, “in progress” and “closed”. Anyone working on a task documents the progress directly in the ticket.
  3. Discuss the task as needed: Comment functions allow queries and discussions to be made directly in the ticket. Notifications keep everyone involved up to date. 
  4. Escalate if needed: As ticket systems support automated workflows, a ticket can be automatically forwarded to the line manager as part of escalation management.
  5. Close the ticket: Once the task in question has been completed, the ticket is closed. It can be archived for later analysis or documentation. 
  6. Analyze overall task management: The collected data provides the team with insights into which measures were successful. They can evaluate how work can be improved in the future. 

 

Conclusion: task management – a crucial process

Virtually all operational, value-added creative work can be expressed in tasks. As a model, the more information and details tasks contain, the more accurate and valid they are. Task management is not just about organization and simple processing. It is also about dependencies between tasks, the connection with workflows and improving processes to achieve overarching goals. 

In short, the more thorough and focused task management is, the more likely teams are to make progress, achieve tangible results, find work enjoyable and continue to develop. Investing time in task management pays off.

Teams and individuals are faced with the challenge of choosing a suitable and target-oriented method for task management. The right software support often makes the decisive difference. It offers an overview when there are many tasks. It helps teams  act more effectively, stay more focused, work more successfully. 

Find out how OTRS can support you with task management.

About OTRS

OTRS (originally Open-Source Ticket Request System) is a service management suite. The suite contains an agent portal, admin dashboard and customer portal. In the agent portal, teams process tickets and requests from customers (internal or external). There are various ways in which this information, as well as customer and related data can be viewed. As the name implies, the admin dashboard allows system administrators to manage the system: Options are many, but include roles and groups, process automation, channel integration, and CMDB/database options. The third component, the customer portal, is much like a customizable webpage where information can be shared with customers and requests can be tracked on the customer side.

About Version 2 Digital

Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

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