Picture this: you’ve just listened to a captivating presentation on MOF 4.0, and you’re all fired up and ready to get started. This stuff sounds great, makes sense, and could really turn your organization around. You can see all sorts of benefits from improved operations and services.

Now what?

We posed this question to our greater MOF network, and you responded. You sent us suggestions on what you’d like covered to help answer the “how” of MOF. Thank you for your feedback. We hope you’ll like this new implementation guide.

MOF 4.0 incorporates the core requirements of industry best practices and frameworks into one free, easy-to-understand set of guidance. The Getting Started with MOF 4.0 guide is the first step to a more efficient MOF implementation. The guide provides role-and situation-specific guidance, focused on helping users understand where to apply MOF and how to get the most from its recommendations.

This new extension of the MOF core content speaks to three targeted audiences—the CIO/IT director, IT managers, and individual contributors. Tailoring the content to specific roles clarifies responsibilities and leads to improved service delivery in your organization. The guide includes a list of prioritized action items that address both proactive and reactive issues. Ultimately, this guide serves as the primary resource for implementing MOF within your organization.

Download the Getting Started with MOF 4.0 Beta guide today:

·         Not a member of the MOF Beta review program? Join now to download this release.

·         Members, preview this Beta guide on Connect.

 Looking for additional resources to help you get started with MOF 4.0? Download the MOF IT Pro Quick Start Kit.

http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/5/8/658BC1E9-E262-45CA-BB6E-E87C058BBD37/IT%20Pro%20Quick%20Start%20Kit.zip

Ready for Windows 7? Let us help.

We introduced a new series of MOF Action Plans earlier this year in order to provide IT pros with concise, actionable solutions that address IT problems faced in the real world. We’re happy to announce the latest addition to the series. The timely new release will help organizations validate their people-readiness to move to Microsoft’s new operating system—Windows 7®. Download the release now:

MOF Action Plan: Release Readiness for Windows 7        

This action plan addresses the challenge of validating people-readiness for Windows 7 deployment. Building upon guidance from the MOF Release Readiness Management Review, the document asks the reader to evaluate four distinct aspects of release readiness, including operability and supportability and the release readiness of your production environment, business or customers, and release strategy plans. The action plan provides key considerations to determine organizational preparedness, as well as guidance for creating a tailored deployment checklist. Download the MOF Action Plan: Release Readiness for Windows 7.

Looking for other Windows 7 resources from the Solution Accelerators team? Check out the Windows Desktop Solution Accelerators page.

Want more MOF? Visit our home page, and subscribe to the news feed.

We’re pleased to announce the release of two new case studies sharing a recent MOF success story. Special thanks to Khalid AlHakim for driving this effort.

Saudi Post, the official postal service for Saudi Arabia, used Microsoft Operations Framework (MOF) 4.0 to improve business efficiency while lowering operating costs. Service Desk improvements and the creation of a Network Operations Center (NOC) enhanced communication between the organization and its customers and enabled better alignment between IT and the business.

Read the NOC case study and learn how Saudi Post put MOF 4.0 to work, taking advantage of MOF’s practical and concise guidance. Early in the assessment process, it became clear that a central location for managing IT support was necessary, and MOF principles and practices were applied to successfully establish the new Network Operations Center. Saudi Post executives were pleased with the benefits of MOF, citing well-rounded improvements to the organization. CIO, Dr. Usamah M. Altaf praised MOF’s guidance: “We found MOF very helpful in establishing the NOC and overcoming any challenges. MOF helped us create the right team structure, define clear roles and responsibilities for every team member, determine the right mission for the NOC, and identify the right processes for systems and applications when you move them into a production environment.”

Saudi Post was also able to improve the reliability and availability of its Service Desk to provide IT services. Using MOF guidance enabled Saudi Post to more clearly define roles and positively affect the organization’s business services.  Dr. Altaf also found MOF beneficial for the evolution of their Service Desk: “MOF helped us in creating a Service Desk structure that enabled us to differentiate between a request, incident, or a real problem, making an architecture that is easy to follow, defining an escalation process, and achieving our targets,” the CIO said.

Check out these new case studies and learn more about Saudi Post’s success story.

Interested in sharing your own MOF success story? Contact the MOF team.

The Microsoft Operations Framework (MOF) team is extending the MOF 4.0 core content with the release of companion guides. These guides are intended to help business and technical decision makers and IT pros perform IT-related activities effectively and cost-efficiently. Each guide applies MOF 4.0 principles to specific activities—making MOF’s guidance even more practical and usable. 

We’re pleased to announce the beta of the latest guide: Planning for ISO/IEC 20000.

Join the beta here.

This guide will help you prepare your people, processes, and technologies for ISO/IEC 20000 certification.

The companion guide will allow IT management staff and service providers to understand the ISO 20000 requirements and assist them in planning for streamlined and efficient implementation using MOF. The guide enables users to take informed steps toward certification, make cost-reducing process improvements, and increase organizational efficiency and flexibility. Ultimately, the steps outlined in this guide will help an organization meet ISO 20000 requirements and deliver effective IT services.

Tell us what you think! Test drive our beta guide, and send us your honest feedback. What are your thoughts on the MOF companion guide? What other scenarios would you like to see us address? We appreciate the input and will work to make each guide as helpful and useful as possible.

Tell your peers about MOF 4.0! Please forward this to anyone who wants to learn more about Microsoft Operations Framework.

Already using Microsoft Operations Framework? We’d like to hear about your experiences. Please send comments and suggestions to MOFpm@microsoft.com.

Thank you!

The MOF team has released a new guide, Planning for Software-plus-Services: A MOF Companion Guide. Download it now:

Download—Planning for Software-plus-Services    

The Microsoft Operations Framework (MOF) team is extending the MOF 4.0 core content with the release of additional companion guides. The guides are intended to help business and technical decision makers and IT pros perform IT-related activities effectively and cost-efficiently, seamlessly aligning IT and business goals. Each guide applies MOF 4.0 principles to specific activities—making MOF’s guidance even more practical and usable.

This companion guide provides a framework for considering and planning a software-plus-service strategy, using concise guidance and strategies from MOF 4.0 core content. The guide will enable you to make informed, cost-effective decisions and choose a qualified service provider. Ultimately, the steps outlined in this guide will help you evaluate how software-plus-services can best help your organization.

Related Resources

Microsoft Operations Framework 4.0

MOF 4.0 Online Forum

Please send your comments and feedback to MOF@microsoft.com.

Thank you!

I've received several follow-up e-mails asking where the Companion Guides can be found and two of them are indeed available.  The MOF IT Compliance Companion Guide is released and can be downloaded here. The MOF Planning for Software + Services Guide is currently in beta and can be downloaded from the MOF Connect site here.  The two System Center guides are underway and I hope to have something to show early next year (Q1 2009).

More to come!

Jason Osborne

MOF Frameworks PM

Hi All,

One of the first things people realize when looking at implementing a service management framework, whether it is ITIL, MOF, or another, is that they must not only be adopted but also adapted to your individual organization's needs.  You have to decide which of the described processes are relevant to your requirements and to what depth to apply them.  this is true whether you are a consultant trying to make a living assisting others in their implementations, or a IT Manager trying to decide how improve upon your organization's existing change control. 

MOF 4.0 now fully supports this need for flexibility and the ability to remix, adapt, and shuffle the content with the adoption of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license. This license allows you to freely Share (copy, distribute, or transmit) any of the MOF content and Remix (adapt) that content to suit your needs.  For a full legal explanation of the terms of the license, please refer to the Creative Commons website.

Let us know how you take advantage of this as we're looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

Jason Osborne

MOF Frameworks PM

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

Hi all.  I wanted to let everyone know about two exciting announcements.  At MMS, the MOF team has announced the relesae of Microsoft Operations Framework 4.0 and the new MOF Online Community Forums, a new online home for the discussion of of all things related to MOF, service management, ITIL, IT governance and related frameworks across the IT lifecycle as they tie to the Microsoft platform. We sincerely look forward to getting to know you all better on our new forum and introducing you to the new MOF. Now that we're though the very intensive development schedule of MOF 4.0, the level of online activity across our all of our community outlets will be picking up considerably over the next few months.  Please drop in our our new forum, say hello, and keep an eye out for some of the announcements that will be coming, such as training webcasts, hosted LiveMeetings with the both the MOF development team, key customers and implementers, as well as Microsoft's own IT department.  The release announcement for MOF 4.0 follows.

Microsoft Operations Framework 4.0—Simplifying IT Service Management

I am thrilled to announce the release of Microsoft Operations Framework (MOF) 4.0.

MOF 4.0 applies service management concepts to the tasks and challenges IT professionals face every day. The guidance it provides puts IT pros in the spotlight—it speaks to their needs and provides them with job aids to help them make sound decisions. MOF 4.0 features guidance specifically written to help CIOs, IT directors, IT managers, and IT professionals at all levels plan, deliver, operate, and manage IT services across the lifecycle.

In version 4.0, MOF introduces a new structure that puts emphasis on outcomes, results, and roles in a format that’s easy to reference. Because every group, team, and company is unique, the service management functions (SMFs) in MOF 4.0 are anchored by questions that support the decision-making process within an organization. This new, streamlined approach makes it possible to use either the entire framework or just one component of the framework to solve a particular problem.

The practical guidance in MOF 4.0 features processes; governance, risk, and compliance activities; management reviews; and best practices from Microsoft Solutions Framework (MSF). Finally, to ensure industry alignment, MOF 4.0 supports the best practices found in frameworks such as ITIL, CoBIT, and ISO 20000.

The new release of MOF offers concise, practical guidance across the IT lifecycle, but it doesn’t stop there. Another very important element of version 4.0 is our online community: a platform where IT professionals can contribute their own timely, relevant recommendations for achieving reliable, cost-effective IT services…and benefit from the contributions of their peers.

What You Should Do Next

Download MOF 4.0 now at www.microsoft.com/MOF, then join the online MOF community. See what you can contribute—and what you can gain—by participating in forums and blogs, providing feedback, and supporting other IT professionals.

Please let us know what you think of this latest release of MOF.  We look forward to hearing from you,

Sincerely,

I wanted to let everyone know that at this time we are no longer looking to hire another Program Manager for the MOF Team.  Thank you for your interest!

Jason Osborne

Frameworks PM

We currently have an immediate need for a MOF PM to join the team here in Redmond, WA.  I have posted the job description below and if you are interested in applying please forward contact me using the contact form on this site.  The one thing I would add to the job description is that we're looking for someone who can help continue to drive and evolve our strategy around community and customer and partner engagement.  And please note, this job is located 100% in Redmond, WA with no possibility for a remote employee.

Job Description:

MOF Program Manager

Microsoft Program Manager

Who we are:

The Solutions for Management and Infrastructure (SAMI) team has two main areas of focus. We solve customer problems by continuing to develop the Microsoft Operations Framework, MOF, integrate MOF concepts with guidance and tools for compelling solutions, and drive manageability improvements into the Microsoft products. 

Our team, SA-MI, has been responsible for the some of the solution accelerators found on the Microsoft web site such as Microsoft Operations Framework, MOF Continuous Improvement Roadmap, Windows Vista Service Lifecycle Management, Infrastructure Planning and Design, and Business Desktop Deployment.

During FY 09, our primary focus will be developing a vibrant service management community that extends MOF content and supports the improvement of IT services.  Through collaboration with product groups, MSN, MSIT and Services, our goal is to deliver IT professionals the right solutions to improve their effectiveness.  

What we need:

We are looking for people experienced in the areas of operations management, service management, and automation.  Do you want to lead the charge on solving tough IT service challenges such as the integration of people, process and technology to support the automation of IT services such as provisioning, identity management, software update.  If challenges like these are your passion then SAMI is the place for you.

Main Responsibilities:

Acting as an internal Microsoft solutions integrator, the role will include the envisioning, planning and execution management of MOF- related solutions.  A focus for this role will be extending and driving the MOF community to further enhance and extend MOF content.  It is an opportunity to take projects from inception to completion in a short time frame typically 9-12 month cycles. It includes significant cross group collaboration.

Necessary Skills:

·         Passion and vision for solving IT service management challenges and connecting MOF to the Microsoft platform.  

·         Passion for customers, partners, and relationship building. An understanding of online communities.

·         MOF and ITIL knowledge with 7 to 10 years of IT service management and operations management experience

·         Demonstrable and highly effective cross-team collaboration and communication skills

·         Deep program management skills; virtual team management experience

·         Strong presentation, oral and written capabilities

Job location is Redmond, WA

Compensation: Competitive depending on experience

We look forward to hearing from you!

Jason Osborne

Frameworks PM

The Frameworks team continued its journey along the winding road to Hana by releasing a significant beta update this past Friday.  With this release we have now released initial versions of every core Service Management Function (SMF) with the exception of the Team Model, which I can assure is coming!  So, without further delay, below is the latest beta invitation e-mail, along with the Connect ID and Invitation link necessary for you to access the content and share your feedback and opinions with us.

Interested in improving your IT Service Management?  Optimize your IT Processes with Hana (MOF v4)

Hana guidance provides a structured approach for IT process optimization.  Hana integrates MSF and MOF, plus extends the guidance to include planning and governance. Hana enables you align IT with your business goals, deliver IT as a service, and leverage compliance activities to optimize your people’s effectiveness.  

This beta includes the following documents:

·         Hana Beta Reviewers Guide 3

·         Business/IT Alignment SMF

·         Change and Configuration SMF

·         Customer Service SMF

·         Financial Management SMF

·         Problem Management SMF

·         MOF Overview

·         Mapping Spreadsheet (earlier versions of MOF to version 4.0)

·         Design and Deliver Phase Overview

·         Operate and Support Phase Overview

·         Plan and Optimize Phase Overview

·         Manage and Adapt Integration Layer Overview

·         Build SMF

·         Deploy SMF

·         Envision SMF

·         Governance, Risk, and Compliance SMF

·         Operations Management SMF

·         Policy Management SMF

·         Project Plan SMF

·         Reliability Management SMF

·         Service Monitoring and Control SMF

·         Stabilize SMF

Our goal for this beta is to receive feedback from a broad group of IT experts regarding Hana’s content structure and high-level concepts across the entire set of SMFs.  Your feedback will be addressed in our March and April beta releases, but we’ll need your input soon to make Hana the best it can be.