viewpoint

Do IT value methodologies work?

Wed, 11 Apr 2007 20:01:38 -0400

Opinions are divided on whether value methodologies--methods of measuring the business value of IT investments using formal measurement tools--can really prove IT's worth to the business. One viewpoint is that IT value methodologies don't adequately measure, much less prove, technology's value to the business, because any direct correlation between IT spending and bottom-line results is highly elusive. IT is also comprised of a complex array of services, some of which are indistinguishable from the business capabilities that they enable, such as trading, while others are more like utilities, making it difficult to place a value on the department's functions. Another view is that it is possible for IT to drive significant value, but this value comes from places where CIOs don't generally look, such as other parts of the business. Yet a third viewpoint says that the real challenge is to step back and ask how IT is truly adding value to the business. For example, what counts as the benefits of a project and how do you ensure that those benefits are achieved?

Read more about the relative value of IT value methodologies:
- read the article at CIO

What the analysts see coming in 2007

Thu, 21 Dec 2006 19:01:35 -0500

IT industry pundits spend their days talking with tech leaders and business executives about the current technology in play, new technology hitting the ground and the direction IT is headed in. Sometimes industry analysts get caught up in all the hype from vendors hoping to break new ground. Yet, while we all should be taking analysts' insight and guidance with a small grain of salt, their viewpoint remains valuable. That's why Gartner Research's expectations for the coming year caught my attention. Their list of predictions includes everything from outsourcing viability to the poor networking spend habits of many enterprises. Some are common sense--mobile technologies will obviously keep rolling out, user adoption will increase and yes, Virginia, IT security won't get any easier. But it's also interesting to hear what Gartner believes will happen with corporate social responsibility and how IT fits into that puzzle.

For more on what the analysts see in the new year:
- read the feature at eWeek

Being a leader and a techie is a balancing act

Sun, 26 Nov 2006 19:01:36 -0500

There's a debate over whether an IT leader should focus on a business leader role or if they should be the top 'tech mind' in the organization--and there are good arguments for each viewpoint. But as one tech leader has learned, being both isn't necessarily a bad career move, especially if you like being in the trenches and keeping your IT skills sharp. Switching gears from manager to tech implementor, however, takes skill, practice and above all, a knack for figuring out how to balance your two main job responsibilities, so that you don't fail on one side of the equation.

For more on being a tech-savvy leader:
- read the article at Computerworld

SPOTLIGHT: One way to contribute in the boardroom

Tue, 18 Jul 2006 20:01:34 -0400

There's been a strong and continual push to get CIOs sitting at the boardroom conference table, but little about what their role or contribution can be once they're invited to join. One tech initiative you might want to propose to your executive colleagues is the development of a "dashboard" that will provide a clear and concise viewpoint of important business and operations pulse points. The key is knowing how best to propose such a technology effort and how to handle those executives who may not think it's a valuable proposition. Article

Editor's Corner

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 20:01:40 -0400

Since the technology became available, my take on Web monitoring programs in the corporate environment has morphed. I've gone from viewing it as being too invasive and "Big Brotherish" to understanding the need to check in on employee use of email and the Internet. Simply, there's just too much risk and too many potential vulnerabilities to allow unfettered Internet and messaging use. I don't believe there are tons of workers scheming to send confidential information or accessing networks they have no authorization to touch, but there is human error to consider, and it's a huge security issue. As an article at BPM Today relates, virtually all of us use the Internet and messaging during the workday. About 93 percent of workers surveyed said they spend at least some time accessing the Internet at work, up from 86 percent in 2004. And while more enterprises are responding by pulling in monitoring systems, that may or may not be the right response. I'm interested in hearing your viewpoint on using such tools. Are they necessary? Do they work or do they generate other issues, such as disgruntled employees? Email me and let me know, and I'll share the insight in a future issue. - Judy