As with any project, the success of software asset management will depend on how well roles and responsibilities are defined and the commitment and ability of key players to make it happen. Pivotal to this is the software asset manager. In practical terms, this is the person responsible for the management of software within your organisation. However, their actual role will extend much further than this:

• Keeping senior management informed
• Maintaining senior management sponsorship and enthusiasm
• Implementing and maintaining policies and procedures
• Enforcing discipline for policy violations
• Ensuring continuous improvement of the software asset management process

While the person responsible for IT may seem like an obvious candidate for the role given their experience and knowledge, it will add an extra burden to an already full workload. Instead, someone else with the appropriate experience of software purchase and implementation may prove a better choice. When your software asset management programme is functioning efficiently you should find it reduces administrative tasks and so frees up valuable time for everyone involved.

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