According to global research firm Gartner – “IT strategy is the discipline that defines how IT will be used to help businesses win in their chosen business context.” But who within your organisation should own IT strategy? Read on to learn more.
IT is seen by many companies as a set of services, which, while essential, doesn’t exactly get anyone excited. As a result, there tends to be a ‘default desire’ to offload responsibility for it. That’s done in one of a couple of ways – by employing someone, or outsourcing to an IT support firm or managed services partner.
And that’s fine. However, forward-looking organisations are realising that far from a necessary evil, technology done well can deliver a competitive advantage. To do that requires someone to be in charge who ‘gets IT’ and has the wherewithal to leverage it to make the company more competitive or innovative.
To achieve this, some larger firms typically engage IT consultants who specialise in planning or advice. That helps with formulating a plan – but if those consultants only know the theory, then the practical steps necessary to make a difference may be lacking (and you could even find yourself in a pickle).
Others will look to IT support firms for innovation, but if their core experience is ‘business as usual’ work, that’s what you’re going to get.
The result is that strategy, in the true sense of the word, is effectively stalled. All the IT is doing is keeping the business chugging along. In today’s world of digital disruption and massive upheaval, the choice to leave it as it is could present serious risk for some businesses.
It’s Leap Consulting’ position that senior executives need to be fully invested in IT strategy. When the executive team is in charge, it has the drive, the motivation and the resources to make great things happen (and truly amazing things are possible with IT; as Arthur C. Clarke famously said, ‘Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic’. Think Uber or Google Maps or any one of hundreds of services powered by IT today).
But owning IT strategy doesn’t mean you have to learn everything there is to needs to know about technology; you’re best at competing in your own vertical market. For insightful discussions which can turn innovative ideas into practical realities, choose a managed IT services partner which can address multiple layers of the businesses technology needs, including strategy, operations and planning.
Having this combination allows the sharing of domain knowledge from within the company mixed with the needs of the business day to day and the strategy expertise to link it all together. That’s something Leap Consulting prides itself on.
As the outsourced IT solution provider of choice across Western Australia and beyond, Leap Consulting delivers a proven ability to create and deliver systems which improve operational efficiency and delivery strategic advantage. Download our free ebook, ‘8 Mistakes Businesses Make When Outsourcing Their IT’ and, to see what we can do for your business, contact us on 1300-532-748.