Why IT leaders shouldn't cut staff

It may be tempting for CIO's to cut their staff during these dire economic times, and in some cases it may seem like a necessity. But executives should be very be careful because slashing staff resources carries risks and could ultimately harm an IT department.

People are looking to manage their costs in IT a lot better, and many worry that means that people will have to potentially do layoffs.

But the last thing IT departments want to do is lose embedded knowledge. "That would be hard to salvage," Andi Mann, research director at Enterprise Management Associates, told Network World.

Mark McDonald, group vice president and head of research in Gartner Executive Program, said in uncertain times, IT shops need flexibility. He said squeezing out top talent, especially in some IT departments that are already weak in some disciplines "doesn't make sense."
 
For more on balancing staff and the economy:
 - see this NetworkWorld article