The IT Asset Management (ITAM) world never stands still. With SaaS sprawl, cloud adoption, AI-driven tooling, and new compliance challenges, ITAM leaders need to stay sharp, not just in the nuts and bolts of managing assets, but in strategy, leadership, and broader business transformation.
The right reading can sharpen your thinking, challenge assumptions, and help you lead ITAM into the future. With that in mind, here’s a curated reading list for ITAM leaders in 2025, covering technology trends, leadership, and business insight.
- “Digital Transformation: Survive and Thrive in an Era of Mass Extinction” by Thomas Siebel. Why it matters: ITAM doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Siebel’s book provides a macro view of how digital technologies, from cloud to AI, are reshaping enterprises. For ITAM leaders, it offers context for why managing digital assets strategically is more critical than ever.
- “The Phoenix Project” by Gene Kim, Kevin Behr, and George Spafford. Why it matters: This modern classic in IT circles is a must-read for any IT leader. Through a novel-style narrative, it illustrates how IT functions can move from bottlenecks to enablers of business value. For ITAM leaders, it underscores the importance of alignment with DevOps and digital delivery.
- “Measure What Matters” by John Doerr. Why it matters: Asset management can sometimes be seen as a tactical function. This book on Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) demonstrates how measurable goals can drive strategic outcomes. ITAM leaders can use these principles to connect asset data to business performance in clear, compelling ways.
- “AI Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order” by Kai-Fu Lee. Why it matters: AI is no longer on the horizon; it’s embedded in modern IT operations and SAM/ITAM platforms. Lee’s book provides a global perspective on AI adoption and its societal implications. ITAM leaders will gain insights into how AI may reshape asset management, vendor relationships, and compliance in the years ahead.
- “The Infinite Game” by Simon Sinek. Why it matters: ITAM is often about long-term stewardship rather than quick wins. Sinek’s idea of the “infinite game” resonates strongly with ITAM, where the goal is not just to win short-term savings but to sustain resilience, trust, and value creation over time.
- Gartner and Forrester ITAM & SaaS Management Reports. Why it matters: Analyst reports may not be as captivating as a business bestseller, but they are essential. They provide benchmark data, vendor landscapes, and emerging trends that help ITAM leaders validate their strategies and stay ahead of market changes. In 2025, expect increased focus on SaaS, FinOps integration, and AI-driven discovery.
- “The Art of Thinking Clearly” by Rolf Dobelli. Why it matters: ITAM leaders deal with complex data and must make decisions that affect millions in spend and risk exposure. Dobelli’s book, which explores cognitive biases and decision-making pitfalls, can help leaders sharpen critical thinking and avoid blind spots.
- “Team Topologies” by Matthew Skelton and Manuel Pais. Why it matters: Asset management is increasingly collaborative, touching IT operations, security, finance, and procurement. This book provides practical frameworks for designing high-performing IT teams. ITAM leaders can use it to improve cross-functional collaboration and elevate ITAM’s role within the enterprise.
- “Radical Candor” by Kim Scott. Why it matters: ITAM leaders often have to deliver tough messages, whether it’s about overspending, compliance risks, or shadow IT. This book offers strategies for communicating directly and empathetically, helping leaders balance authority with trust.
- “Cloud FinOps: Collaborative, Real-Time Cloud Financial Management” by J.R. Storment and Mike Fuller. Why it matters: Cloud and ITAM are converging, and FinOps principles are becoming essential. This book is a practical guide to managing cloud costs and maximizing business value, making it especially relevant for ITAM leaders navigating hybrid environments in 2025.
Final Thoughts
The best ITAM leaders don’t just manage assets, they lead with vision. They stay informed about technology, sharpen their business acumen, and continuously grow as leaders. This reading list is not just about ITAM-specific knowledge but about building the broader capabilities required to guide enterprises through complexity and change. For those who prefer to listen to audiobooks, many, if not all, are available in audiobook form.
Whether you’re diving into analyst reports, brushing up on cloud economics, or exploring leadership philosophies, one thing is clear: 2025 will reward ITAM leaders who are as curious as they are capable.
