The days when IT departments were seen as superhero protectors of all technological knowledge within an enterprise seems to have passed. Today, while IT is more essential than ever for every department, there is a new distribution of roles.
Many people in enterprises have a certain level of proficiency in IT, without being specialists. This gives a certain comfort to go seek IT solutions without the help of the specialised department, especially as the proliferation of solutions offered "as-a-service" makes decisions easier to make.
Lines of business have the impression of gaining independence from the IT department, but is the enterprise really winning in this situation?
Here are two major problems that prevent effective collaboration between IT and lines of business, as well as possible solutions for greater effectiveness.
Problem # 1: A difference of opinion concerning the interest of new IT projects
Understanding the Problem
Even though historically, information technology was available only to the IT department, nowadays, it is highly desirable that all business leaders consider whenever possible how technology can help them achieve their goals.
Inefficiencies and security risks can arise when IT solutions are selected and implemented with minimal involvement of the IT department who are transferred the project only when it is time to maintain it.
With this approach, it’s easy to understand how the maintenance portion of an IT department’s budget can reach very high levels.
Possible solutions and business benefits
Leaders would gain by further developing silo- free operations because the more active participation of IT in new projects has a positive impact on the overall productivity of the company.
As for IT departments, there are also gains to be derived from greater openness to new projects.
There is no doubt that the willingness to establish closer links between IT and the different business lines would facilitate more efficient collaboration.
Case in point, when implementing a mobility strategy that was initiated by the marketing department, for example, success will come from close collaboration with IT that can provide expertise on issues such as security, integration and device management, to name a few.
Problem # 2: IT resource management
Understanding the Problem
Since information technology is widespread at all levels of the company, it is not unusual to see duplicate resources within a company. And because all lines of business use technology resources for their projects, the IT budget is found scattered. This can cause difficulties in controlling the budget.
Each department must control its budget, yet all the costs associated with the operation of critical IT infrastructure for the company (equipment and human resources) is traditionally attributed to the IT department.
Possible solutions and business benefits
Even though the need for IT solutions and resources is specific to each department, it is the overall vision of the company that can lead to better management of IT.
Moreover, the maintenance of information systems which is certainly critical, but "consumes" too many resources compared to the value added, is problematic. Companies need to do the exercise of identifying the added value of maintaining these functions internally.
Given the new constraints and demands on companies, outsourcing system maintenance is increasingly favored, in order to allow IT departments to increase their value on other projects.
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