Many top executives do not realize the value their IT talent and departments play in the success of their organization, mainly because they do not understand technology and its special language.  Because of that, IT Departments are walled off from the mainstream organizational  dynamics and seen merely as a cost item that is difficult to justify with a quantifiable return on investment analysis (Wall Street Journal, March 10, 2008).

Exacerbating this problem is the fact that many senior leaders don't see IT's potential to transform their organization because they cannot overcome the differences between the black-white logic-driven mindset of their technology people and the ever changing world of gray issues managers must deal with on a daily basis. 

The reality today, though, is that CEOs cannot ignore IT and expect their organizations to succeed, according to Dr. Amit Basu, chairman of information technology and operations management at the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University.  However, he believes there are several steps that can be taken to reverse this trend.

• Begin with IT literacy at the top.  Make sure senior managers understands how IT functions and the value it brings to the organization, just like they understand accounting, finance, and marketing.
• Continuously communicate to the entire organization that IT has the potential to affect the competitiveness of the organization, therefore all decision makers must think strategically about how this area can be used to innovate success.
• Include IT considerations in all decision making meetings.
• Hire an IT leader who sees the big picture.  When rotating senior executives through various assignments, do not exclude a stint running IT.  Your CIO is not just a technological expert.  They must be able to see how technology can support and enhance the organization.
• Groom IT personnel as integral components of the organization; do not look past them because they use a specialized vocabulary.
• Create demand for IT solutions.  All managers must see that knowledge management, business intelligence, information security, change management and process integration are essential to your organization;s success.
• Make sure nothing gets lost in the translation by making sure IT language and management language are understood by both sides.  IT personnel cannot craft viable solutions if they do not understand the business needs, and managers cannot envision solutions if they do not understand the basics of data management.  Teach both sides!
• All IT expenditured must be subjected to teh same rigorous procedures and examination as any other expenditure.  Do not sign off on IT spending without a clear understanding of the value it brings to the organization. 

These are just a few steps to utilize yout IT Department to support your organizational success.  To get yourself started, consider these two questions:

• What would happen to my organization if my information systems failed?
• How is IT reshaping my industry?

If nothing else, the answers to these two questions will drive you to keep that wall down.