There are many roles to fill in a BigFix environment. I am trying to come up with a general category and job description for the roles needed. Some will be filled by the same person, some will be a shared or part-time position. What are your thoughts and suggestions for titles and descriptions?
BigFix Manager : Oversees the entire operation. Not heavy in day to day but understands how to use tools & reports. Often times a team lead that has other responsibilities.
BigFix Architect : In charge of the infrastructure of BigFix, including servers, relays, SQL, and networking. Also in control of the updating of the BES software infrastructure. Very strong understanding of BES architecture requirements. Conducts stress test. Controls access to BigFix components.
BigFix Reporter : Develops custom reports for Manager & stakeholders. Strong web design skills.
BigFix Engineer : In control of setting up content for distribution to endpoints. Creates baselines, writes custom fixlets and analysis. Develops and maintains groups inside of BigFix. Relevance Master. Solid understanding of BES architecture.
BigFix Admin : Deploys and monitors baselines to endpoints. Basic understanding of Console and Web UI.
Does this seem to cover the bases? Are there more responsibilities for a category or a category I am missing? Should the titles be something else? What about qualificaitons? What skills are needed in each role besides the obvious and stated.
I do consulting in this area and can try to provide some expertise – I won’t shift too far from what you’ve got. I think most of the time these end up as, “Endpoint Management” positions:
Endpoint Management Team Lead (BigFix Manager)
Endpoint Management Specialist (BigFix Architect)
Endpoint Management Senior (Engineer/Admin)
Endpoint Management Analyst (Reporting/Engineer/Admin)
I think largely the reporting/engineering/admin roles will be handled by the same person unless you’re in a distributed environment where admin might be the delegated role.
Normally BigFix is just one tool of many used for Endpoint Management and we generally see these positions as more about handling how BigFix and the tools work together than just a BigFix position.
Does this seem to cover the bases? Are there more responsibilities for a category or a category I am missing? Should the titles be something else? What about qualificaitons? What skills are needed in each role besides the obvious and stated.
I think looking for advanced Windows/Linux/Unix (whatever flavors you use) knowledge is a huge pre-requisite to being successful with BigFix. I prefer seeing an MCSA, RHCSA, etc or the ability to answer difficult technical questions on the spot.
Other Skills: Good communication, ability to work with others in stressful situations, willingness to follow sometimes routine and tedious process, good understanding of change management (ITIL, etc).
Sometimes things like this can be an entirely separate role. Think of use of my or @strawgate or other’s shared content. In a weird way we are providing this role indirectly to organizations that make use of it.
You have defined Titles, not so much roles. I would break it down into many smaller roles, and each Title could do some, many, or all of the roles… often depending on the size and structure of the organization in question.