IT these days can look a lot like baseball in that both pastimes can involve a lot of failure and relatively few hits. In both cases, there are some clear reasons for ineffectiveness, but when it comes to IT at least, there are ways to improve the odds for success, reports Shane O'Neill at CIO magazine.

According to John Baschab, senior vice president of management services at the tech staffing and services firm Technisource, there are five key ways to make IT more effective, beginning with better management. The first thing to do to improve IT management is to set up a steering committee that connects IT and the business. The committee can give the CIO advice and serve as a liaison between business units and IT. 

"Cleaning up the IT org chart is the best place to start," Baschab says. "There should be no floating boxes and clear lines of responsibility."

Improving discipline over project management is a second way to increase IT's effectiveness. CIOs should create a master list that includes upcoming projects, ROI and business benefit. Make sure the IT group doesn't take on more projects than it can handle, and be prepared to initiate fewer projects than you'd like.

A third way to increase your odds of success is by doing a better job of managing vendors, Baschab advises. Demand favorable contracts and be aggressive in staying on top of vendor relationships after the sale. Insist on a quarterly report card from each vendor, and don't be afraid to let unproductive ones go.

Better budgeting and financial management will also improve effectiveness. "CIOs must recognize that most companies must generate $10 in revenue to cover every $1 spent on IT," says Baschab. "CIOs must become a business resource for the senior management team by suggesting ways to lower the company's overall cost through the use of IT."

Finally, limit inter-departmental tension as much as possible. Make sure IT is trying its best to collaborate with the business units and avoid blaming others. One simple tactic: "CIOs should have two lunches per week with business unit managers and members of the senior management and steering committee," Baschab advises.

For more:
- see Shane O'Neill's article at CIO

Related Articles:
Good IT leadership includes good management
What to avoid when motivating the team
How to delegate more effectively