Centralized

All IT decisions and operations are handled by a single department in a single location.

Good communication with outside departments and locations is essential.

Decentralized

IT decisions are handled independently at each location.

Interoperability, security, cooperation.

Mixed

IT management is distributed, but technology is relatively consistent.

Both centralized and decentralized issues.

Outsourced

IT decisions are implemented and maintained by an outside interest.

Response time, communication, control.