Last Updated on 07/16/07.

A survey of the work of leading management researchers confirms the findings of our consulting practice which shows that the Board and Senior Executives are concerned with six basic questions about information technology.

1. Competitive Impact

Is the firm being affected competitively either by failing to implement required IT applications or by faulty implementation of strategic applications? Is the firm missing opportunities that, if properly executed, would give it a competitive edge? How important is IT to success in the industry?

2. Development Effectiveness

Is the firm targeting its IT application development efforts effectively? Is it spending the right amount of money, and is it focusing on the appropriate applications?

3. Operational Efficiency

Are the IT assets of the firm being managed effectively?

4. Disaster Recovery

Is the firms IT activity sufficiently insulated against the risks of a major operational disaster?

5. Technology Leadership

Are the firms IT and business leaders capable of dealing with the IT-related management challenges?

6. Organizational Fit

Are the IT resources appropriately placed in the firm? Organizational issues are addressed such as where the IT resources should report, how development and hardware resources should be distributed within the company, what activities, if any should be outsourced, and the existence and potential role of an executive steering committee.

These questions are intuitive from the viewpoint of general management and flow naturally from its perspective and experience in dealing with other areas of the firm.

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