IT's got what it takes. (CIOs demonstrate the value of technology)

• Published in: Computerworld Vol. 28; no. 40; p. 87
• Main Author: LaPlante, Alice
• Format: Magazine Article
• Language: English
• Published: Framingham Computerworld, Inc 03.10.1994; Foundry
• Subjects: Analysis; Budgeting; Budgets; Case Study; Chief Information Officers; Christensen, Eric; City managers; Departments; Economic justification; Efficiency; Executives; Hernandez, Shawn; Information management; Information systems; Information technology; Inventory; Management information systems; Management styles; Manycompanies; Marketing; MIS; Objectives; Pollard, Gary; Professionals; Return on Investment; Strategic Planning; Technological planning; Technology; Telecommunications industry; Telecommunications services industry; Sunnyvale California; United States > US; California
• ISSN: 0010-4841

Many chief information officers (CIOs) are being asked by management to demonstrate the value of IT investments. The task can be quite challenging, but some innovative CIOs have been successful, such as Ameritech Corp's dir of consulting services Eric Christensen. Christensen has found success using a technique created by the CongiTech Services Corp, which specializes in determining the effectiveness of IT. The CogniTech technique allows a firm to survey subjects, including reporting structures, architecture, corporate and IS cultures and organizational hierarchy. The method stresses the concept that effectiveness is critical for IS success, not simply efficiency. Effectiveness questions whether a service, product or activity provides needed results and not just whether the activity, product or service is delivered at the lowest possible cost.