Future Focus - Tomorrow's Insights for Today's Decision Makers 


Bridging The Digital Divide - Part 2


October 2004

Aaron Kumove -- Managing Director, Horizon Consulting

Last issue I discussed the issue of the divide that often exists between an IT shop and the rest of the organisation.   I suggested that more than any other factor it is this didvide that is responsible for failed IT initiatives. 

I suggested that there are a number of reasons for this divide, namely:

  • Fear of IT
  • Ignorance
  • Poor Communication
  • Governance
  • Training
  • Remuneration
Let's look at each of these in turn and see what we can do to deal with them.
  • Fear
Fear really stems from a lack of understanding by business people of what IT is and how it works.  As IT professionals it is incumbent on all of us to allay rather than prey on those fears.  We can do that in a number of ways:
  • Speak English, not techno-babble!  You will not impress anyone by using language that only you understand.  They could do the same to you in their field of expertise of they choose to. 
  • Explain IT choices in conceptual and strategic business terms, not in low level detail - no one cares about that stuff except other IT professionals.  

  • Ignorance
The ignorance I am referring to here is not ignorance of the IT domain, but ignorance of processes of engagement between IT and the business that could generate better results.  There are well known proven methodologies and best practices in a number of areas which sit at the intersection between IT people and business people.   Train up the appropriate people in disciplines such as project management and requirements management.

  • Poor Communication
This  problem is also easily solved through  the application of a bit of discipline and structure.   The implementation of standard reporting frameworks will allow everyone involved to understand what to expect  and the frequency with which they can expect it.   The use of appropriate methodologies will help to ensure that the artifacts of communication which are passed between IT and the business  contain the necessary level of information to be relevant to both sides of the discussion.

  • Governance

If there is one factor that really stands out, this is it.  How many times have we all seen IT issues crop up where no one seems to be responsible.  Establish a robust governance framework and it is amazing how many other problems seem to magically fall into place when there is no where to hide!

  • Training

Establishing frameworks and methodologies is great, but only if people understand them and know how to apply them.  In a prior life I organised to have dozens of staff in a large organisation undertake training in project management and requirements management once we made the decision to adopt methodologies in both of these areas.  Don't expect that people can magically apply concepts that they have only seen in a 1 hour Powerpoint presentation!

  • Remuneration

This one tends to only rear its head when things are going off the rails.   We do pretty well in the IT industry compared to others and when things are going off the rails I have seen business people get very upset about the salaries paid to IT staff.  I suppose if we do some of the things that I mentioned above that we can keep things from going off the rails and this factor will stay quiet.  Barring that, I am not sure that there is a more effective stance we can adopt given the nature of a capitalist labour market economy and the laws of supply and demand.
Any IT professionals volunteering to take a pay cut?  :-)
 

Aaron Kumove -- Managing Director, Horizon Consulting
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