tool sprawl

In the race to modernize IT operations, many organizations have followed a predictable pattern: as infrastructure becomes more complex and tool sprawl surges, so does the tooling meant to manage it. More cloud; more dashboards. More apps; more telemetry. More vendors; more silos.

Operational resilience is built on the ability to anticipate disruptions, respond quickly, and maintain performance under pressure. For IT teams, that capability begins with observability not as a buzzword, but as a strategic necessity.

It’s easy to be tempted by the convenience of buying monitoring or observability software directly from your hardware provider. On the surface, it seems efficient: fewer vendors, “native” integration, and perhaps even bundled discounts. But this path can often lead to unintended complexity and long-term limitations.

In today’s highly commoditized market, organizations often address problems with technology but fail to create the conditions in which tools can be effective. When these solutions don’t fix the issue, IT leaders are stumped. The truth is, we frequently underestimate the significance of the workflows and teams these tools are designed to assist.

It’s no secret that today’s IT pros struggle to maintain visibility into dispersed and interdependent IT environments. But there is a way forward.

Throughout my 26-year professional journey, I’ve had the unique opportunity to experience leadership from multiple perspectives across two distinct careers. My first chapter spanned 11 years in education, where I served as a teacher and department head, gaining valuable insights into managing both people and programs.