The global economic slowdown has caused information systems executives to shift their priorities, according to the 2001 Critical Issues of Information Systems Management report conducted by CSC. More than 1,000 IT executives from around the world responded to the survey, which has been conducted annually since 1987.
CSC says three factors drove this years goals: value, results, and performance. Theres a focus on core competencies and uniform service levels in IS divisions throughout the world. CIOs and CTOs have discovered they need to partner with their leadership teams to create and sustain value. Optimizing is a key word in this study; so is effectiveness, especially when dealing with tightened budgets and critical needs.
A year ago, IS executives responding to the survey reported the No. 1 business issue was connecting electronically to customers, suppliers, and partners. Developing an e-business strategy was another high priority.
Now its 2002. The companies that initiated projects back then havent abandoned them, but its difficult to convince executive management to provide additional funding when those executives dont believe in the process. CSCs survey showed that 55 percent of respondents believe senior management views IS as a necessary business expense rather than as an investment.
Thats the attitude about emerging technologies as well. Its much easier to get excited about something if you know that the budget will be there to make upgrades. But thats not likely to happen until the economy improveswhich could explain why most items surveyed here are considered important, but not very important by the respondents.
We chose five of the surveys questions to illustrate herethey give you a good idea of whats important and whats not in the new year and changing economy. ROBERT REGIS HYLE
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