IAM Projects Done Right: Everything as a Service

Achieving success in Identity and Access Management (IAM) projects hinges on meticulous planning, effective execution, and robust project governance rather than being overly complex. At the core of successful IAM projects is selecting the right partners and technologies, starting with detailed requirements analysis and extending to implementation and ongoing operations. Key to this is the creation of a Target Operating Model (TOM) that delineates the roles and responsibilities within the IAM organization—including internal teams, Managed Service Providers (MSPs), and Cloud Service Providers (CSPs).

Modern IAM strategies emphasize using out-of-the-box functionalities and favoring configuration over extensive customization. This minimizes code segregation and supports sustainable project transitions from implementation to production. Additionally, a one-stop-shop approach that reduces the number of involved parties can simplify responsibilities and enhance consistency in project activities.

Successful IAM initiatives require thorough planning in requirements analysis, budgeting, stakeholder management, and defining team processes. It’s crucial to maintain a balance between standard functionalities and necessary customizations, keeping complexity under control through structured guidelines.

iC Consult's service framework offers an end-to-end IAM solution, covering strategy, implementation, customization, and operations. This one-stop-shop strategy leverages their global reach and experience, providing significant advantages by simplifying partner management and reducing project risks through consistent engagement from start to finish.

• IAM projects intersect multiple systems and divisions, making them inherently complex.
• The TOM describes functional areas, deployment models, and assigns responsibilities within an IAM organization.
• Internal IAM teams, business teams, system integrators, and service providers typically share operational roles and responsibilities.
• Modern IDaaS solutions offer more standardized configurations compared to traditional IAM setups.
• Custom code segregation via APIs ensures maintainability in modern IAM projects.
• Proper planning and alignment of people, processes, and policies are foundational to IAM success.
• Customization in IAM projects must be minimized to avoid complications and maintain system integrity through updates.
• Effective IAM projects span four stages: requirements analysis, planning, implementation, and continuous operations.
• Strategic partnerships and limiting the number of involved parties can reduce IAM project complexity.
• iC Consult covers the entire IAM spectrum, including specialized industry-specific solutions, through comprehensive service layers.

• "Success in IAM starts with a plan. IAM is way more than just a technical project of installing and running a tool."
• "A defined TOM supports in understanding the different functions within IAM and assigning responsibilities to the various involved parties."
• "Keeping the amount of customization under control starts at three places: Requirements Analysis, Architecture & Implementation Guidelines, and Openness for other solutions."
• "Done right, a one-stop-shopping approach such as the one provided by iC Consult can reduce complexity and risks in IAM projects significantly and thus can drive project success."
• "Well-planned projects and modern schemes for IAM help in mitigating inherent project risks and in increasing IAM efficiency."
• "The art is in limiting the number of partners involved, while having the right partners in place for the planning and execution stages."
• "Customization in modern IDaaS has become way simpler than ever before. With solutions following modern, microservices-based architectures, APIs have become the new normal."
• "A well-thought-out TOM helps in coordinating between multiple involved parties, the rule must anyway be to keep the numbers of parties low."
• "Effective IAM projects go beyond technical delivery; they require thorough planning and a strong understanding of the requirements."
• "Making an IAM project a success is not rocket science. It is about doing a project right, setting the right guardrails, and executing the project with the right partners and tools that fit your requirements."