Tech-Business Synergy: The IT Steering Committee as a Solution

Does your IT department seem to be in its own world? Has IT been completely disconnected from the needs of the rest of the organization? Do you feel like you need a translator just to communicate with them? Well, it might be time to implement an IT steering committee that includes non-technical leaders. We're not joking, believe it or not, your IT team will thank you.

Implementing an Information Technology (IT) steering committee that includes non-technical leaders can be a powerful way to align the IT department with business needs. According to a survey by Gartner, organizations that have a strong alignment between business and IT are three times more likely to outperform their peers.

Life Before a Steering Committee

Imagine a company where the IT department was never really aligned with business needs. The IT team would work on projects in isolation, often delivering solutions that didn't meet the needs of the rest of the organization. This led to frustration from both the IT team and the business units they were trying to support.

The IT team felt like they were constantly being pulled in different directions, with no clear guidance on what was most important. And the business units felt like they were always fighting to get the IT team's attention. This led to much wasted time and effort and a lack of trust between the IT team and the rest of the organization.

Life After a Steering Committee

Now let's look at a company that has implemented an IT steering committee that includes non-technical leaders. This committee meets regularly to discuss the needs of the business and how IT can support those needs.

The IT team now has a clear roadmap of what projects they should be working on, and they have the support of the rest of the organization. This has led to a significant improvement in morale within the IT department, as they are making a real difference for the company.

The business units are also happier, as they feel like their needs are being heard and addressed. This has led to an increase in trust between the IT team and the rest of the organization.

According to a survey by the Harvard Business Review, organizations with strong alignment between business and IT are three times more likely to outperform their peers. By implementing an IT steering committee that includes non-technical leaders, you can help your organization achieve this alignment and drive better business results.

Creating an Effective IT Steering Committee

The recommended group structure for an IT department steering committee with non-technical participants will depend on the size and needs of your organization. Here are a few factors to consider when determining the structure of your steering committee:

• The size of the committee: A smaller committee (5-7 members) may be more effective in terms of decision-making and communication, while a larger committee (7-10 members) may be more representative of the various business units within the organization.
• The representation of business units: It's important to have representation from all business units that will be impacted by the decisions of the steering committee. This could include sales, marketing, operations, finance, etc.
• The level of leadership: The steering committee should include both senior and mid-level leaders from the business units, as well as IT leaders.
• The frequency of meetings: The steering committee should meet regularly (e.g., monthly or quarterly) to ensure that the IT department is aligned with the needs of the business.

Overall, the goal of the steering committee should be to bring together a diverse group of leaders from across the organization to provide guidance and direction to the IT department. By including non-technical participants, you can ensure that the IT department is meeting the needs of the entire organization, not just the technical needs.

Are you having difficulties getting the most out of your IT department? Book a complimentary one-hour consultation with our team to discuss your goals via contact@safeboxllc.com or (310) 823-7560.