Breakthrough IT

Chapter 2. Up Periscope!

Nearly every worthwhile endeavor begins with a change in mindset, and building the Breakthrough IT organization is no different. The first step on the journey to a more effective IT group that actually generates measurable returns, rather than being yet another drag on the P&L, is seeing IT as a “business” in and of itself, and as a venture capital organization. The business element of your Breakthrough IT organization seeks to minimize its ongoing, noninvestment costs, while the venture capital component of the organization explores potential strategic projects through an active and ongoing collaboration with other executives in the firm.

The first step in building this organization is reducing your company's focus on ongoing IT operations. This aspect has long been the primary, and in some cases, the sole focus of IT. Keeping the networks running and the myriad little lights in the server room blinking a steady green are important to business continuity, but should not be the primary concern of a C‐level executive. This chapter centers on transitioning the focus of IT away from continuing operations, with the objective of freeing the organization to use IT as a competitive weapon by implementing strategic projects.

This is not a task to be undertaken lightly. The dynamics of the relationship between the CEO and CIO will often change during this transition, and both executives must make the mental shift from viewing the CIO and IT as an operational function ...