Run IT as a business -- why that's a train wreck waiting to happen | Adventures in IT - InfoWorld

Run IT as a business -- why that's a train wreck waiting to happen | Adventures in IT - InfoWorld: ""

I'll keep it simple by saying first, Amen to the general principle which is that IT doesn't have internal customers. There are NO "internal" customers. All the customers are "out there". I define customers as those from whom we obtain revenue. Everyone else, every function inside the company, is part of meeting the customers' needs. It's why the company exists. But then I've said that before.

Secondly, where I will disagree slightly is that this isn't a train wreck waiting to happen, the crash has already occurred; we're just watching the clean-up now. We see it all the time. The CEO says "IT's become an order-taking organization and we need them to be more strategic." IT matches up with the article's profile including calling the business, "customers". CIO's should forbid the use of the word throughout IT in reference to anyone who doesn't give the company money, i.e. isn't the source of revenue.

Knowing who the company's customers are and working to provide them with the services and products they require is the reason IT and the rest of the business exists. We're all in this together.