How non-IT managers can turn IT from an expensive liability into a
cost-effective competitive tool.
Firms spend more on information technology (IT) than on all other
capital assets combined. And yet despite this significant cash outlay,
businesses often end up with IT that is uneconomical and strategically
feeble. What is missing in many organizations' IT strategy is the
business acumen of managers from non-IT departments. This book presents
tools for non-IT managers to turn IT from an expensive liability into a
cost-effective competitive tool. It equips readers with the concepts and
analytical skills necessary to understand IT needs and opportunities
from both sides of the business-IT divide.
Each chapter opens with a jargon decoder-nontechnical explanations of
the key ideas in the chapter--and ends with a checklist summarizing
non-IT factors to consider in IT decisions. Chapters cover such topics
as infusing competitive firepower into IT strategy; amalgamating
software and data for a hard-to-duplicate competitive advantage; making
choices that meet today's business needs without handicapping future
strategy; establishing who decides what about IT strategies; sourcing IT
and its challenges; protecting IT assets against disaster in ways that
IT professionals cannot; and recognizing the business potential of
emerging technologies. Examples are drawn from large corporations, small
businesses, and nonprofits around the world.
The book is suitable for use in the MBA core IT course, and is aimed
especially at students in professional or executive MBA programs. It
will also be a valuable reference for managers.
