1. An IT Optimizer must strive to provide a solution that is optimal for the client.
"Optimal for the client" can mean many things. For one client, it might mean "the best performance in this budget". For another, it might mean "the best performance. Period." And for yet another, it might mean, "acceptable performance with 99.999% uptime".
It is not our call. It is our clients' wish. Our job is to provide them with the best available solution within their limits.
2. An IT Optimizer must be multi-disciplinary.
Everything
is inter-connected. The IT Optimizer must understand -- even master --
the intricacies of clients, servers, and network infrastructure. Only
by having such multi-disciplinary skill will The IT Optimizer be able
to identify where to focus his/her efforts in order to achieve the
optimal solution.
3. An IT Optimizer must maximize existing infrastructure.
Most clients do not have infinite funding. One can't always fix everything by throwing money at it. The IT Optimizer must always try to maximize the existing infrastructure, be it workstations, servers, gateways, or other network infrastructure.
Only if
performance will be hobbled by existing infrastructure will then The IT
Optimizer resort to upgrades and/or procurement of additional
equipment.
4. An IT Optimizer must share his/her knowledge, methods, and experience to others.
No one exist in isolation nowadays. Most likely, the performance of a network depends on whether the other partnered networks also perform well. But not everyone is the client of the same IT Optimizer. The IT Optimizer will need cooperation with other IT Opmizers.
In addition, sooner or later The IT Optimizer will have to rely on the knowledge of others; thus it is highly unethical if The IT Optimizer uses knowledge from others but he/she will not contribute back.
In short: Always help your fellow IT Optimizer. A small dose of goodwill shall go a loooong way...
