There’s this notion flying around in the real world that if you’re able to use a certain technology – say Twitter – you also know how to use it. What I mean by how to use it is using it in a way to accomplish some sort of goal – like increasing sales for your business. Being able to use any technology is certainly the first step in starting to understand it, but humans use technology for a purpose – and understanding those purposes (and all the ways to use a technology) requires a deeper level of understanding.
So what you say. Well this is important, because any good technology professional will tell you that you’re wasting a lot of time if you decide to start using a technology without some greater goal in mind. This is why many companies view their IT departments with distrust – they tell them to buy the latest and greatest technology (without understanding the biz reasons behind it), shrug off any disagreements and then are disappointed when it fails.
OK. What’s the proper way then? First you need to understand the business reasons why you’re looking for a particular piece of technology. Really this should start without considering technology at all. What’s your business goal? What are you trying to accomplish? Once you have your business needs, you can start to look at how technology can help. On the tech side, you’ll need to understand how any tech can help you fulfill your business needs, and then you’ll start looking at specific types of tech and whether they fit the bill.
Everything should start on the business side first. By understanding your business needs, you’ll be better able to seek out technology that helps fulfill those needs. Then you won’t view tech so much as a cost, but as a tool to help your business.
What do you think?
(photo by deanj @ Flickr CC)
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Technorati tags: IT strategy, strategy, technology, IT, business
{ 4 comments }
I couldn't agree more, this is my pet peeve. Everyone uses a computer, has an opinion and think they know it all. Nothing quite like the benefit of experience and hindsight to inform your work ethic and execution. GRRRR ….
Hammers don't build houses; People do. But even in the hands of a skilled craftsman, there needs to be a plan. A goal. An endgame. An architect can stand in an empty field, and visualize a successfully built structure. The hammer is just a tool in the process.
Twitter. Facebook. Blogs. They're all just tools in the process. When you can visualize your end result beforehand, you will use your tools more effectively.
Scott, I like your metaphor of hammers and building houses. A hammer is a tool in the process, but it won't help you in certain tasks (cutting wood, measuring, designing, etc.). Once you have your plan, and you've figured out the tasks required to reach your goals, you need to figure out which tools will help you do your tasks most efficiently.
Thanks!
Scott, I like your metaphor of hammers and building houses. A hammer is a tool in the process, but it won't help you in certain tasks (cutting wood, measuring, designing, etc.). Once you have your plan, and you've figured out the tasks required to reach your goals, you need to figure out which tools will help you do your tasks most efficiently.
Thanks!
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