It's been a very tough year for businesses everywhere. Unemployment has reached more than 10 percent, and technology businesses have had to hold the line and cut back. Business has gone south in 2009 and is just now coming back.

Gartner Research is suggesting that now is a great time to take a tough look at how IT functions within a business because 2010 is a prime time to make a few strategic changes. The research company suggested 11 ways IT should be examined to make 2010 a more productive year.

"We are now within one of the rarest and most fleeting periods in business--nearing the bottom of a recession and before a return to growth," said Ken McGee, Gartner vice president in a statement. "We urge organizations to exploit this unusual opportunity to question the efficacy of their IT business practices and determine whether those practices warrant change. But they need to act now, by the time business growth returns, they will be far too busy, and it will simply be too late to change," he adds.

Here are some areas Gartner suggests evaluating:

• Take advantage of cloud computing
• Improve budgeting
• What's more important, cost savings or business growth?
• Should new CIOs "abandon legacy IT organizational structures?"
• How to prioritize innovation

To move things along for 2010, consider this: In a recent report by Robert Half Technology, the research firm found that companies are looking for managers and workers who have soft skills in business management. That means they must be able to interact with peers in other areas of the company to make sure there is cross-developmental business.

"In addition, professionals who understand how IT initiatives tie to larger business objectives are better able to help firms reduce costs, increase profitability and enhance efficiencies," the Robert Half Technology report said. 

All this means is that you will be able to try out new ideas in 2010 as the economy rebounds and your company is no longer scared to take a risk.

For more on the coming year in IT:
- see this eWeek.com article

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