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Questions Every CEO Should be Asking the IT Department
by Eric Smith
In order for strategic-level IT planning and execution to be effective, decisions should begin in the boardroom, not the back room. To facilitate this process, CEOs should invite IT experts to participate in company planning meetings so IT grows according to long-term company goals.
In order to best incorporate IT into the company’s overall business plan, ask questions like:
- Is our IT strategic plan aligned with our business plan?
- Does our IT investment fully support our business plan and objectives?
- How can information technology help us realize our profit goal for the year?
- How can information technology help us increase our market share over the next three years?
- How can we show an ROI on our IT expenditures?
- What cost reductions can we realize?
- Is our IT investment helping find new customers and retain existing ones?
- Is our IT investment allowing us to exploit business opportunities better than our competitors?
- Are we actively seeking ways to use technology to improve our business processes?
- Does our IT staff have the proper skill sets for our industry and business?
Before implementing a particular IT solution, ask questions like:
- Does it fit with our company’s mission?
- Does it provide an adequate return on investment?
- How will this affect our present business practices?
- How will this IT investment make our business more efficient?
- How will this make us more profitable?
- How will this help keep our costs down?
