A Vision for IT

The Role of Vision in IT Excellence

Very often IT's image is that of a glorified help desk. They are relegated to the role of system administrators. Their job is to hand out laptops and set up user accounts. In the most business-critical situations, perhaps it's to make sure that the website doesn't go down and the Wi-Fi network is secure. Often, IT is treated no better than short-order cooks. "I'd like a database with a side of fries please. And make it quick, because I have a lunch meeting with a client."

The most "innovative" IT organizations talk about security, scalability, and generative AI, but this really is just a solution looking for a problem to solve. Security, of course, is just a way to avoid liability, and scalability is geek-speak for "The website is down, again."

On the other hand, there are organizations where IT (Information Technology) is the business. Where IT is order-fulfillment, billing, sales enablement, and customer satisfaction combined.

What sets these organizations apart is vision. The vision to see IT as part of the business. The part of the business that serves as the lubricant for people to get their jobs done efficiently. That enables a prospect to be turned into revenue as quickly as possible.

World-class IT is what differentiates the best-in-class from the merely good-enough. The market leaders from those in the "other" category. But what makes for world-class IT?

The answer again is vision. In this case, the vision by leaders to make IT part of the business and to explicitly communicate that vision throughout the organization, not just "internally" to IT.

Defining a Vision and Mission Statement for IT

A well-defined vision and mission statement for IT can transform IT's role within an organization. Here’s how. A bold and incisive vision statement can:

• Ensure Alignment with Business Goals: A clear vision aligns IT initiatives with the broader business objectives, ensuring that technology investments directly support the company’s strategic direction.
• Empower and Motivate Employees: Communicating the vision and mission empowers IT teams, providing them with a sense of purpose and motivation to contribute meaningfully to the organization’s success.
• Enhance Collaboration: A shared vision fosters collaboration across departments, breaking down silos and encouraging a unified approach to solving business challenges.
• Inspire Innovation and Agility: With a forward-thinking vision, IT is positioned not just as a support function but as a driver of innovation. This enables the organization to be more agile and responsive to market changes.

By defining and communicating a compelling vision and mission for IT, leaders can elevate the role of technology within their organizations, transforming IT from a support function to a critical enabler of business success.

Crafting a Mission and Vision Statement

A good next step on the journey of making IT part of the business is by crafting a compelling, resonant, and relevant Mission and Vision Statement.

Crafting the vision statement shouldn't be done within the isolation of the C-Suite; instead, it should be crafted collaboratively and in consultation with colleagues in other divisions, aligning with the vision of the business as a whole.

This will ensure buy-in, support, and respect for the intent of the exercise from the rest of the organization. If other parts of the business or other departments don't have clear Missions and Visions of their own with which to align, then this is a good opportunity to have that conversation about where exactly the company is heading, so that IT can position the business to succeed.

Here are some elements that might be integrated into the IT Vision Statement:

• Inclusiveness: Foster a culture where diverse perspectives are valued and integrated into IT solutions.
• Proactiveness: Anticipate future business needs and technological trends, leading the way in innovation.
• Innovation: Continuously explore and implement cutting-edge technologies to drive business growth.
• Business Alignment: Ensure that all IT initiatives are strategically aligned with the overall business goals.
• Partnerships: Build strong relationships with other departments, vendors, and stakeholders to drive collaborative success.
• Customer Success: Focus on enhancing the customer experience and driving customer satisfaction through technology. (There are no internal IT customers only partners and colleagues!)
• Action-Oriented: Promote a culture of decisiveness and swift implementation of IT projects.
• Accountability and Transparency: Maintain high standards of accountability and transparency in all IT operations and communications.

By embedding these elements into the vision statement, IT can truly become a cornerstone of the business, driving not just operational efficiency but also strategic growth and innovation.

By focusing on vision and strategic alignment, IT can transcend its traditional roles and become a key driver of business success. Let's work together to create IT organizations that are not just part of the business, but integral to its success. Connect with me on LinkedIn to continue this conversation and share insights on transforming IT into a world-class function.

--Marvin Elizondo

Founder, Elizondo Consulting LLC