http://h30507.www3.hp.com/t5/Client-Computing-Best-Practices/User-Segmentation-Roles-and-Profiles/ba-p/89975 <p>User segmentation is a discipline much like lifecycle management itself. Given trends in client computing such as cloud computing, virtualization, hypervisors, tablets, streaming, and so on that we just discussed in our webcast, it is important that the terminology be established that avoids confusion in segmenting users.</p><p> </p><p>First, the disclaimer as always. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are mine, and does not represent those of my employer.</p><p> </p><p>Closed Loop Lifecycle Planning which is the body of research and work I perform, defines user segmentation as the optimal alignment of access devices, cost, risk, service levels (which includes the application deck).</p><p> </p><p>Just as any discipline of methodology, user segmentation has defined steps, four to be precise. These steps inlcude-  mastering the installed base, exploring technology alternatives, identifying the user segments, and then aligning the factors to the user segments. (Note in my book, there are 300+ pages of content, so it is not quite as simple as I present here).</p><p> </p><p>It may be useful to think of user segmentation as the high level plan. After this level comes the role. The role is the more detailed view. An example may be useful. If the user segment is finance, a role might be accounting. And within accounting, cost accounting, tax accounting, financial accounting might be the more detail roles defined.</p><p> </p><p>Once the user segments have been identified (large groups typically at least 10% of the installed base of end users), the roles provide more definition.</p><p> </p><p>Profiles are an IT term or still rather a management tool term. Profiles are at the detailed end user level what the specific end user receives as a part of the entitlement based upon user segment and role.</p><p> </p><p>User segmentation permits and enables a broad governance model- all within a certain role might have certain security and application access.</p><p> </p><p>HR has dozen, perhaps hundreds (or more) of job classifications. We should not confuse risk, application and job requirements to salary and pay grade.</p><p> </p><p>Given this as a background, how is your business addressing the user segmentation?</p><p> </p><p>I now envision user segmentation migrating from a &quot;nice to have&quot; to a requirement in today's device diversified and virtual environment.</p><p> </p> Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:55:52 GMT brucemichelson 2011-03-30T17:55:52Z http://h30507.www3.hp.com/t5/Client-Computing-Best-Practices/User-Segmentation-Roles-and-Profiles/ba-p/89975 <p>User segmentation has now come of age. Closed Loop Lifecycle Planning defines user segmentation as the optimal alignment of end user requirements to the suite of access devices, cost, risk, service levels (which includes applications).</p><p> </p><p>Too often, the terms are used interchangeably - user segmentation, roles and profiles, however, they really mean different things.</p><p> </p><p> </p> Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:55:52 GMT http://h30507.www3.hp.com/t5/Client-Computing-Best-Practices/User-Segmentation-Roles-and-Profiles/ba-p/89975 brucemichelson 2011-03-30T17:55:52Z