IT executives are under intense pressure to cut costs, and that pressure is significantly increased by the current grim economic outlook. So, how can your organization weather this economic storm? Surprisingly, a variety of opportunities for IT are hidden within today’s financial challenges.
B M C i n d u s t r y i n s i g h t s
Unlock the Hidden IT Opportunities
in Troubled Economic Times
By Jim Grant, Senior Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Development, BMC Software
Today, IT faces some of its greatest chal-lenges to date. IT executives are under intense pressure to cut costs, and that pressure is significantly increased by the current grim economic outlook. We've seen study after study recently released by analysts indicating that IT organizations are looking at reducing headcount, as well as their overall spending in 2009. To com-pound this challenge, other business areas are relying on IT more than ever before to help them deal with the reality of increased competition and reduced funding. This budget crunch creates a greater need for improved efficiency.
So, how can your organization weather this economic storm? Surprisingly, a variety of opportunities for IT are hidden within today's financial challenges. With the right approach, processes, and technology, it's possible for IT to provide higher-quality services for a lower cost, while also empowering the business to position itself to take advantage of the growth potential that will occur when the economy rebounds.
Looking aheadOf course, IT will certainly bear its share Although it might seem counterintuitive Think of this economy as a platform for of the financial pain that the rest of the in a time of budget tightening, companies change. For those who make prudent organization is going through. While there must continue to make strategic investments investments now, this economy offers the has always been the need for IT to become in IT. Sure, it would be contrarian to think opportunity to position their companies for more efficient, what has changed now is of investing in IT when normal reflexes growth when the economic cycle starts to the sense of urgency in making this happen. would cause a CIO to consider hunkering trend upward. The CIO who has taken too There is an increased level of accountability down and focusing on survival until business much of a survival approach, however, will for business results, as well as a greater conditions improve. Survival is clearly impor- find it more difficult to take advantage of demand from your business partners in tant, but by making survival your primary the growth portion of the business cycle helping them solve their problems. focus, you risk missing opportunities. when it arrives. CIOs and IT organizations that position increase business alignment and on guidance from the IT Infrastructure ®themselves for the eventual upturn enable new business models - all Library® (ITIL ). Other frameworks, such will look at IT as an enabler of business while controlling costs? Start with as Control Objectives for Information efficiency and growth. In fact, in this examining your processes. It's impor- and related Technology (COBIT) and turbulent economy, it becomes more tant to identify processes that are Six Sigma, are also helpful. By estab-critical to invest differently in IT. The good candidates for automation. Keep lishing an environment of continual key is to invest in areas that really in mind, however, that automation is process improvement within IT, you improve IT efficiency and discipline. only as good as the processes that are can develop fairly significant improve-This focus will enable IT not only to automated. ments that have a dramatic impact survive this difficult financial period, on overall quality and efficiency.but also to quickly shift its profile You're probably already managing toward enabling true business growth. your IT organization like a business, 2. Look for opportunities but if you take that practice to the to automate (they will be Investing for a payoff next level, you'll gain more visibility abundant).There are a variety of areas you can into IT and how that organization Many effective IT organizations make invest in that will improve the bottom supports the business. The following it a priority to automate increasingly line for IT. These opportunities are three recommendations describe the larger parts of their IT operations. related to managing IT costs, increasing benefits of a BSM approach and how With increased pressure to show positive business impact, improving to get started. results for any investment in IT, you the quality of service, managing risk, mu... [download for more]
