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Is IT Manager accountable for SLAs & OLAs?

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Question added by Imran Khan , Operations Manager , Cognizant Technology Solutions
Date Posted: 2015/11/17
Shailendra Shivne
by Shailendra Shivne , Sr. Executive , Vishal Retail Limited

Yes, Manager is responsible for SLA's

Moiz Ismaili
by Moiz Ismaili , Senior Manager IT / Head of IT , Serena Hotels / TPS (Pakistan) Limited

Yes IT Manager is responsible as technical aspects required to run the show is better known to him only.

Emre Ardıç
by Emre Ardıç , IT Projects and Operations Manager , Vaillant Group

A Service Level Agreement (SLA) is an agreement between an IT Service Provider and a Customer that is outside of IT. 

An SLA describes the service being delivered, documents service level targets and specifies the responsibilities of the IT Service Provider and the Customer. An SLA is based on customer requirements.  An SLA describes expectations of the Customer and a commitment by the Service Provider to meet those expectations. 

An Operating Level Agreement (OLA) is an agreement between an IT Service Provider and another part of the IT organization. 

OLAs often define supporting services (that is, services that are not directly used by the business but are required to deliver services) to be provided and the responsibilities of both parties. An OLA describes the service being delivered, documents service level targets and specifies the responsibilities of the IT Service Provider and the Service Recipient. An OLA describes expectations of the Service Recipient and a commitment by the Service Provider to meet those expectations.  OLAs can explain how services will be delivered to support SLAs. 

SLAs and OLAs should contain realistic service level targets that can be effectively achieved given the maturity of relevant ITSM processes.  Service targets should be compared to actual service performance and reported to the Customer.  SLAs and OLAs should contain provisions for service improvement in the event of service level “breaches.” 

A Service Level Manager should be defined for each service.  The Service Level Manager is responsible for working with Service Owners and the Customer for negotiating SLAs and OLAs (and any modifications to SLAs and OLAs).  Additionally, the Service Level Manager will analyze and report on service levels, ensure that service level targets are being met and will aid in resolving any disputes between the Customer and IT. 

For OLAs, the Service Level Manager may often be the same individual as the Service Owner.

Lloyd McBean
by Lloyd McBean , Chief Technology Officer & Guest Lecturer , University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI)

According to ITIL and the RACI model, If the IT Manager performs the role of Service Level Manager, then yes, he/she would be (a)ccountable for SLA and OLA.  Therefore,  in any particular instance, if the IT Manager is the person responsible for (a) negotiating SLA and (b) ensuring that they are met, and also (c) monitors and reports on services levels as well as (d) ensuring OLAs are appropriate for the agreed service level targets, then yes, he/she would be the accountable person.

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