Real Business of IT: How CIOs Create and Communicate Value Gartner Edition

This clear, short work is one of the most insightful books on the role of CIOs, and I.T. organizations in general, I have read.The I.T. organization often struggles with its identity, disdained by other functional groups in an enterprise and defensive about its contributions. To bridge this gulf, the authors prescribe a model that is simple and precise. The CIO, and the CIO's organization, delivers value in only two ways: positively affecting either business processes or business decision making. That's it. Refining the model a bit, the authors separate I.T.'s customers into two groups: those external to the organization and those inside the organization. This produces a classic 2x2 quadrant, with customer types on one axis and the value types on another. All technology-driven, or technology-enabled, initiatives that produce real value to the business or enterprise will fit naturally into some section of this matrix.I heartily recommend that all I.T. leaders read this book. It resonates with empathy, understanding and truth about how the I.T. function regards itself, and what it can contribute to build value for an enterprise. It can help lead you to better strategy, better plans, better decisions and better relationships with your peers and superiors.

This book is a tremendous resource for IT execs who may be caught up in daily slogging through IT operational issues, or those who are looking to take a more strategic approach to IT. It approaches the idea of *value* from a variety of angles. The authors introduce us to the concept of "value traps" and how to change our thinking to avoid them. They also encourage CIOs to evolve from being just the budget-minded "Cheap Information Officer" into an invaluable "Chief Improvement Officer."One of the most fascinating and unconventional ideas represented was that of dispensing with the notion of business units as "customers" because this thinking drives a wedge between IT and the rest of the business. Instead IT should become part of the business, with a seat at the grownup's table and driving business enablement.Other key ideas and tools in the book include the essential steps to deliver value for money, and the "virtuous cycle" of IT. Having seen firsthand so many business analytics projects go down the hindsight reporting rat hole, it's great to see the authors light a fire under IT's role in innovation (i.e. "the four new sources of value").And finally, I was thrilled to see inklings of "infonomics" (information economics) in the chapter on IT's role as the stewards of information assets.--Doug Laney, VP Research, Business Analytics, Gartner, @doug_laney

Good read, provided a different perspective to everything IT

This christmas we'll be sharing this book with ALL our customers IT Managers and CIOs. Hunter and Westerman got this one right again ! I have had the opportunity to attend the MIT CISR Summer Session and other work from gartner and they are of true value to IT professionals.-Value for money when your IT department operates efficiently and effectively-An investment in business performance evidenced when IT helps divisions, units, and departments boost profitability-Personal value of CIOs as leaders whose contributions to their enterprise go well beyond their area of specializationThe book provides an actionnable approach to communicating and delivering IT value to any business.A must read !

This book thoroughly describes the paradigm shift that people need to take to speak "business" from an IT perspective. As an IT Manager, I can see the need to change our perspective from a overhead to value-add and this book helps paint the picture of what it would take to get there with your team. The book is well written and thoughtful in it's approach - I would recommend this book to anyone in Information Technology looking to change the paradigm.

This book is simultaneously very, very smart and very, very practical. I loved it. Whether you're a business person and want to understand the strategic role of IT, or an IT leader and want to learn how to communicate (better yet, how to enhance) your value to the business, this is the book to open. There are at least three or four tools/frameworks where I said to myself, "Oh, that makes so much SENSE." Start with the virtuous cycle of IT capability projects, for example. Very satisfying.

Very well written. Good for IT Managers as well.

A must read for Executives in IT. IT executives must operate as business leaders with expertise in IT, vs IT leaders supporting the business. Richard Hunter provides great stories to reinforce his message, and recommendations to shift the culture, communication, and brand of IT. The message makes so much sense, yet these types of organizational changes are the most challenging to affect. Applying these principles will totally shift the influence and impact you have with your peers and CEO and the results you deliver.

A lot of very good ideas expose with clear example thru real life experiences. A few CIO actions are too much describe. I clearly recommend it.

Simply and succinctly restates the investment value equation pushing IT leaders to step up and more convincingly communicate the enormous potential technology can bring to driving business growth.

This book has an impressive feel to it, with the Harvard endorsement and authors who represent a good combination of academia and consultancy. Hunter is a VP from Gartner - well known as specialists in IT consulting - and Westerman is a researcher at MIT, another strong brand. The credibility of the book is strengthened by references to their research and to real issues in top companies such as Intel. It would have been good to have had more in-depth interviews but the clear conclusions and practical approach make up for this deficiency.Overall this is an excellent book for prospective CIOs and for anyone who is keen to make a contribution to success in an IT department of a major company. I shall be recommending the book as pre-reading for a course we are running on business partnering for IT people in a major company because it contains many of the messages that link to the course objectives. It certainly seems to be the best book around in this area.

Aimed more at enterprise level companies but many of the points are relevant for SMB\SMEs who are growing and need to learn how to use IT effectively. Not all the measures will work for you but they are a good start for you to create your own. Good for all budding or mid level execs who want to build an understanding of what IT can achieve and how

This book should be on the list of every CIO. A MUST read and a reference book to keep in your briefcase. If you are a CIO and want to add value to your organisation through IT, you have selected the right book. Make notes as you go through the book though as their is so information on how to become a better CIO that you don't want to lose that nugget or nuggets of information.