Six Actions to Improve the IT/Business Partnership

In my last post I introduced the concept of a business technology convergence that is driving the need for a new partnership model between IT and business teams.   The most common organizational structure today is a separate IT department that interfaces to the rest of the business.   But does this model still work in light of a converging world where each side wants to own the technology decision?  Can these two groups continue to innovate in a digital age where speed and security are both critical?

I believe a healthy relationship and a balanced approach to innovation is absolutely possible as long as both sides are willing to embrace a new way of working together.   To that end, I have listed six actions below that can help enable and accelerate a better IT/Business partnership.   Three items for an IT leader, and three items for a business leader.

IT Leaders

1. Create a clear and fair process
   • Business leaders want to understand the entry point, execution, and ultimate delivery of their projects. If they think your team is a black hole where ideas go to die, they will vent frustration or look elsewhere to outside vendors.
   • Take the emotion out of new project rationalization by using fair analytical tools like ROI, budget constraints, strategic alignment, etc. Use a scorecard that you develop together to fairly analyze new initiatives and share accountability for the decision.

2. Listen and be open to ideas from your business partners
   • Listen to a business user’s idea for new technology even if it is not part of your established portfolio.  Use their creative energy as your own “R&D” department to explore innovative solutions that show merit.
   • Be willing to engage and learn new technologies that are proposed. You may recommend something different within your existing solutions, but you are now smarter about the business goals and motivation.   Vendor product demo’s and “fail-fast” pilots can be great ways to learn the technology and build trust for the real project.

3. Bring new ideas to your business partners
   • IT leaders now have the dual responsibility of “keeping the lights on” with existing solutions and introducing new innovation to stay relevant. This includes technology as well as revenue generating or cost cutting initiatives.    You are also a business leader in the organization, so drive ideas forward boldly using your unique perspective and technical expertise.

Business Leaders

1. Know the technology that automates your processes, and be a Learner
   • If you are a business manager, you own the process for your team and how it is enabled by technology. Learn how it is mapped together, always think about the impact to your customers, and constantly improve.
   • Read, experiment, and discover new ways to improve your process with technology. You know your team and process the best, and a tech savvy process owner combined with an IT leader (following my advice above) is a force multiplier for innovation.
2. Challenge existing technology
   • If a solution is not doing what you need, challenge why you are using it and spending money to support it. Do not accept status quo if you or your customers are not satisfied with current technology.   Partner with your IT leader to find a better solution.
3. Come out of the shadows
   • A healthy, secure, and innovative company will have open communication between business teams and IT. Going it alone could result in a less secure solution, inefficient use of vendors, or reduced functionality that could have been enabled through integration with other systems.
   • Do not be afraid of the IT process. You should have a mature perspective on how to securely implement technology in your company.   The stakes are too high in our current environment to risk security breaches.   However, challenge your IT partners if the process is not moving at an optimal velocity for innovation.

*One bonus item for everyone- build strong relationships and focus on people first.  It will increase the success rate for all of the above actions.

Companies that can encourage and harness the alignment between these two groups will innovate faster, invest in technology wisely, and ensure greater security overall.   I challenge everyone across the organization to try out these recommendations and actively work together towards a better partnership.