Over time, companies find themselves burdened with a complex myriad of applications and integrations. The inability to easily change or extend these solutions leads to a complex web of spreadsheets or niche applications either developed or supported by in-house IT teams. No-one quite knows what’s out there or what may break if something is added, updated or replaced. IT are expected to take on the role of architect, builder, electrician and plumber and operate a 24/7 emergency call-out service.
As a former CIO of a large law firm, I am only too aware of IT’s role to guarantee both the availability and performance of all systems. We rarely think about, or give IT sufficient credit. They employ many unsung heroes.
Given the complexity/risk it is no wonder that IT directors can be both conservative and protective. This can be healthy when it is used to resist change that is ill-thought through and which could do long-term harm to the business. However we also need to recognise where this attitude is deeply unhelpful when it turns into promoting an IT agenda or insisting that only internal IT teams can master and build any new technology which comes along. Need a new web application? Easy. A Chatbot? We can build that. Interested in blockchain and AI – no problem, we’ve already been busy building such a solution for a use case that the business hasn’t told us about yet. Just give us enough time and money and our team can build anything.
Experience tells Operations that the ‘not invented here’ syndrome (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Not_invented_here) is usually far from being a good idea. When IT develops tried to re-invent the wheel it can cost the business hundreds of thousands if not millions.
More enlightened IT teams have developed a practice of partnering with start-ups who can not only solve problems but who can do so easily, quickly and at low-cost. Acquiring capability by partnering is a much smarter way to build, not destroy business value, and fast. At Claim Technology, clients are surprised that they can see an immediate productivity increase of 25% within 24 hours of signing-up. Not signed-up yet – here’s the link www.claimtechnology.co.uk.
Partnering provides insight, perspective and a healthy challenge to internal teams. After all, start-ups in particular tend to be founded by the industry’s most insightful and creative minds who have acquired decades of deep experience of what will and won’t work.
So next time your IT team says it’s just too complex or only they have the skills to build the necessary solution, please tell them firmly that it is frankly ridiculous to think that only they can develop a market-leading, award-winning capability, which can be deployed today and at less cost than a single FTE. It doesn’t help the business nor help IT become the internal heroes they are meant to be.
