I'm starting at a new company that's exciting from a tech perspective, but I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. The company's previous IT team lacked proper technical skills and primarily relied on external consultants, resulting in a complicated infrastructure that's poorly documented. Due to recent legal changes, the company has to invest significantly in IT, especially in system administration and security. I'm thrilled about the chance to properly structure the IT infrastructure but could really use some advice as this is my first time managing a project of this scale on my own. Any tips or thoughts would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
Are you going to be the only sysadmin there? That can be a tough position to be in. It's important to have a plan for coverage when you take time off. Just make sure you’re not left hanging when you need a break!
This sounds a lot like what happens in larger agencies. Honestly, I recommend just tearing out the old systems and starting fresh. If you try to patch things up, you're bound to run into issues down the line. Begin with the security perimeter and gradually work your way inward.
That’s my plan for the system side of things—start from the ground up. Thanks for confirming I’m on the right track!
You should establish a working group that clearly defines your goals and expected outcomes right from the start. Document everything in a clear format, but focus on the maturity stages rather than strict timelines. This way, if priorities shift or pressures mount, you have a reference point to make sure changes align with your objectives. Often, the biggest challenges are non-technical, related to managing people and keeping everyone on the same page.
Great advice! Fortunately, our CEO is quite savvy about the need for improvement. The IT Manager even mentioned we have the biggest IT budget this year, so that’s a positive sign!
I'm not going to be solo, but I'll definitely be doing a lot of the sysadmin work on my own. Thankfully, in Italy, companies have to let you use your vacation days and can't really push back on sick time, so I should be okay on that front!