Corporate IT departments are more focused
on solving immediate business problems in theeconomic downturnthan ever before,
according to a leading IT user group.
They are concentrating on innovative ways to
improve the efficiency of the business and cut costs, David
Roberts, chief executive of
The Corporate IT Forum told Computer Weekly.
Corporate users of IT who make up the Forum members
say they are increasingly being asked to find innovative
technologies to help firms meet thier financial targets.
They are relying less on theoretical projections by
research firms for guidance and looking instead to the practical
experience of their peers across all industries, said Roberts.
“We are seeing an increased demand for information
about how other organisations are tackling specific problems like
end-user authentication,” he said.
The Forum’s member-led agenda for future workshops
includes topics such as optimising project management tools,
offshore application development and using social networking for
business.
According to Roberts, end-user forums made up of 20
people with 10 years’ experience in a particular topic in effect
deliver 200 years of collective experience.
“This is valuable in helping to make better
decisions and avoid mistakes that have been made in the past. It
takes out a lot of debate and gives clearer indications of what
options to follow,” he said.
Armed with a better understanding of what is going
on in other organisations, Roberts said CIOs can engage with the
business at a higher level and in greater depth.
Another trend in the economic downturn is an
increased interest by IT departments in benchmarking themselves
against their peers.
“It is reassuring to know others are in the same boat and
achieving similar results under the same difficult conditions,”
said Roberts.