Promotes the approach of addressing performance-related issues early in the system lifecycle to minimise performance tuning and expensive design rework Provides advice on the prudent selection of hardware and software products Discusses the issues that surround the accuracy and validity of both vendor and in-house benchmarks Focuses on approaches to hardware sizing early in the system lifecycle Outlines design principles and techniques to ensure satisfactory performance and system scalability Includes assessments of the key performance factors across a range of hardware and software technologies. The emphasis in this book is on pre-empting performance and scalability problems in production systems by tackling the issues during the early stages of the system lifecycle. It shows how to reduce technical risk, thereby helping to ensure that service level requirements can be met, and thus saving costly rework, redevelopment, and purchases of additional equipment. It includes discussions on the non-functional aspects of IT procurements from the perspective of both the client and the bidders. The watchword throughout is on an approach that is both cost-effective and "fit for purpose," necessary requirements in the modern age when there is increasing pressure to deliver in ever shorter timescales. Performance Assurance for IT Systems is a comprehensive, readable guide to the approaches and techniques for addressing IT performance and related technology issues throughout the system lifecycle. Written by an industry expert with many years of experience in addressing performance and technology issues on a wide variety of systems, the text is loaded with practical advice, easily applied techniques, and useful reference material. It is valuable for a range of IT professionals, including Performance Analysts, Technical Architects, Designers, and IT Managers who are involved in the assessment of technical risk.