Tech Planning: What If There’s A Double Dip?

 

Pick any region. Most respected economists and other experts believe economic growth will be tepid, at best. There are continuing concerns about the world’s economy, and it’s important to ask a key question: Are you ready for a possible double-dip recession?

Certainly, many global economic trends are eye-opening. Here in the U.S., job-growth and the consumers’ inability to buy are major concerns.

Moreover, public policy at all levels – federal, state and county, and city government – is hurting the nation.

At the federal level, stimulus spending that totals more than $1 trillion has been inefficient. Relatively few jobs are being created and there are constant calls for more spending. Policies are detrimental. The healthcare reforms are anything but productive. The legislation created 19 new taxes, it lacks cost-controls, and insurance premiums are mounting.

For years, state and local governments have been fiscally dysfunctional, too. They are still increasing taxes and slashing services.

Businesses are disappointed. Many lack an incentive to invest in human resources, marketing and technology.

The aggregate impact: A further deterioration of Americans’ financial and political freedoms.

So, it was not a surprise that technology-research firm Gartner recommends in a study that chief information officers should get ready for another downturn. That requires planning.

Authors of the study, Plan for a Second Recession, Now, wrote: “We urge these CIOs to leverage their recent experiences by preparing their enterprises should another economic downturn occur within the next 12 to 18 months.”

Gartner believes it’s important that CIOs communicate closely with senior company executives on priorities. Which IT projects for the next 18 months could be postponed or even disregarded?

My sense is that very function or project should be comprehensively studied and any spending should be approved. The budget needs to be detailed and every item needs to be justified. That’s called zero-based budgeting.

Just to cover all the bases, your department’s finances need to be constantly reviewed.

If your company is in dire financial straits and is attempting a financial turnaround, it’s also important to understand the perspectives of both the senior executive and the chief financial officer.  There must be a daily review in the form of a flash report. A flash report can be designed to monitor indicators on a daily basis and to evaluate your actual performance against the turnaround plan.  For more reading, see Step-by-Step Solutions for a Company Turnaround.

If a poor relationships exist between IT and the finance department, which is often the case, it’s important to understand the CFO mindset. You might want to read: Tech Trends: CFO’s the Boss, IT Departments Are Disappearing.

Good luck. Start planning and strap in the proverbial seatbelt if the roller-coaster ride proves to be harrowing.

From the Coach’s Corner, if you’re thinking about getting into business for yourself, I’d recommend reading: Eight Strategies to Consider Before Starting A Tech Business.

Not convinced about economic conditions? Here’s an eye-opening headline: Gartner Trims Worldwide IT Spending Growth Forecast to 3.9 Percent.

Tech Trends: CFO’s the Boss, IT Departments Are Disappearing

 

Two developments are clearly underway in information technology. Increasingly, the chief financial officer is in charge and IT departments are shrinking in size.

First, regarding the shrinking size of IT departments, a Corporate Executive Board study indicates they’re diminishing in size, according to writer Joe McKendrick  at SmartPlanet.com.  It’s not a cutback in jobs, just a shift in how IT professionals are put to work. He writes companies are either are tapping IT service providers or clouds.

The study indicates IT department will be75 percent smaller by 2015, and 80 percent of IT budgets will be spent on IT vendors’ services.

What’s driving this phenomenon? Probably best-practices in consolidation as CFOs assume more authority.

A study by Gartner and Financial Executives Research Foundation (FERF) was based on the perspectives of senior finance managers. It’s entitled, “2010 Gartner FEI Technology Study: The CFO as Technology Influencer.”

Findings include:

• Forty-two percent of IT departments report to CFOs
• Thirty-three percent are supervised by the chief executive officer
• Sixteen percent report to the chief operating officer
• Two percent are overseen by the chief administrative officer
• Seven percent to other executives

Most importantly, the CFO has a major say in 75 percent of IT departments and a minor input in 20 percent. In 5 percent, the CFO has no influence.

“In most organizations, the CFO and CIO work together daily to finance IT and provide information that supports financial processes, but there is also an opportunity for them to form a powerful alliance that generates more value for the enterprise,” said Bill Sinnett, FERF’s director of research, in a statement.

“The CFO and CIO are well-positioned to work together at generating superior performance from the enterprise,” he added.

The  study makes it clear IT department personnel, especially the CIO, should understand an organization’s big picture and how they can best contribute to the  firm’s welfare via the CFO.

My Biz Coach conclusion from the two developments:  IT success hinges on acculturation with the finance mindset as well as a higher degree of integration with the rest of the organization. It’s different but it’s the wave of the future.

Resource link: Mr. McKendrick’s article.

From the Coach’s Corner, TechRepublic’s Toni Bowers has apropos advice for IT professionals facing such trends in this blog: What to do when you get a new boss at your current company.