Top Picks for Fusion 2009

Jayne, I am borrowing your blog to post my Top Picks for Fusion 2009. Thanks...Lisa

I’ve just gone over the itSMF conference program, and I am impressed with the schedule. There are lots of “old favorites” and tons of new names, with really interesting topics.

I didn’t list any speaker whom I haven’t personally seen present, so if I haven't picked someone, don’t let that influence you. If you like the topic, go for it! (Or contact me, I'm happy to discuss in more detail.)

That said, my Top Picks for Fusion 2009.

First, I highly recommend all of the general sessions (led again by Kirk Weisler, he is awesome).

On Monday (9/21) morning, there are two that caught my eye. Unfortunately, they are at the same time! But if either of these topics sound good to you, you can’t go wrong.

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Defining an IT Service - The Root Cause of All IT Issues
Randy Steinberg (Deloitte Consulting) and Jan Vromant (Deloitte Consulting)

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
From Rags to KPI Reporting
Pedro Hidalgo (Cook Children's Health Care System) and Beverly Wileman-Pratt (Pepperweed Consulting)

On Monday afternoon, I have another conflict. Donna Knapp, whose session was standing room only again last year, is presenting on the topic which she is most passionate:

2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
Service Desk State of the Future Report
Donna Knapp (ITSM Academy)

However, if earning ISO 20K certification is on your (even distant) horizon, then you don't want to miss this one:

2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
Achieving Global ISO 20000 Certification in 12 Months
Maria C. Metcalf (Unisys)
Rajan Kanda (Unisys Corporation)

On Tuesday morning, David will lead the breakfast discussion. I know, it’s early for some of you. Drink extra coffee, David is always a “don’t miss” in my book:

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Ask the Expert - Service Operations
David Cannon (ITSM Practice Principal, Hewlett Packard)

Next is one of the sessions I am the most excited to attend….The first person I ever saw present on ITIL, and still one of my all-time favorites:

11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
The Need For Trust: Building a Trustworthy IT
Ken Wendle (HP/itSMF Intl.)

I am a loyal Toyota Way girl, and I always love to hear anyone from their organization present their unique perspective to IT Service Management:

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Release & Deployment Management; What the Books Didn't Tell You
Dave Howard (Toyota Financial Services)

This could be the best practitioner roundtable offered:

3:15 PM - 4:15 PM
IT Service Management: Lessons Learned from the Field
Rob Harper (Motorola)
Troy Olson (Cox Enterprises)
LaTanya Burton (National Institute of Health)
Doris Holley (National Institute of Health)

One of the originators of the Visible Ops Methodology, Gene is a genius, with loads of great information packed in. He talks fast, and thinks 4x’s faster, so have a shot of caffeine before entering the room!

4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Top Process Improvement Lessons Learned at Largest Internet Companies
Gene Kim (Tripwire)

On Wednesday morning, another of my all time favorites:

8:45 AM - 9:45 AM
Planning Business Manager and Customer ITIL® Induction
Malcolm Fry (FRY-Consultants)

A bit later in the morning, there is another note worthy Practitioner session. Jeremy is a very accomplished speaker, and what a great title they have going:

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Knowledge is Power -- Supplanting Unconscious Incompetence
Jeremy Hart (First American Corporation) and Craig Davis (First American Corporation)

So, those are just a few highlights. There are really so many juicy topics to pick from, I couldn't list them all. It’s going to be a jam-packed few days of learning!

See you in Dallas.

Lisa Schwartz
lschwartz@itsmacademy.com