🚀 go-pugleaf

On Sat, 20 Apr 1996, Kevin Brown <kbrown@TIGGER.EON.NET> wrote:
>                              The Interview: Article 3

<interview rehash snipped...>

>It was as this point in the interview that I noted that one senior executive
referred to the
>IT industry as a "bunch of shysters."  I must admit that while I didn't think
this comment
>would end up in print, at least it was one description of our industry that
was printable.

I find it hard to believe, Kevin, that you would be prepared to speak on my
behalf (and all others in CIPS) to a member of the media and NOT expect
anything and/or everything you say to appear in print.

In the best-case scenario, this is naive; in the worst case, it is down-right
irresponsible.

I guess we should be thankful that the mainstream media , like the Globe and
Mail, etc. did not grab this one.  It would have been a blanket condemnation
of the highest order for the IT profession that could forever besmirch its
reputation.

>Believe me, some senior executives were less generous to our industry.
>

Let's see.... are these the same executives that lay off thousands of IT
practioners and others, fail to adequately budget their IT departments or
refuse to back their IT staff recommnedations?  Nah...

>Clearly, this reference caused some concern and caused a few individuals to
respond that
>I was not doing the industry a service.  For those that thought the
description was too
>harsh, just put yourself in the CEO's position in front of a board of
directors,  having to
>explain why a major systems initiative was late, over budget, or had to be
cancelled.  The
>board of directors are not going to be comforted by excuses that the users
didn't know
>their requirements, or that the head of the IT department didn't feel
supported, or that the
>project was late because users kept changing their requirements.

Or that perhaps, just perhaps, the CEO refused to take _any_ responsibility to
ensure that their organization was  in place and ready willing and able to
assist in the IT project?

The good CEOs for whom I have worked for take resonsibility for their
organizations.  If that means declaring "democracy by fiat" <g> or adequately
budgetting, then so be it.

>
>The CEO expects the
>head of IT to know the business, understand how to apply information
technologies to
>the business, and to be able to manage the complexities of system projects.
Whether we
>are talking about the CIO, a project manager, a systems analyst, a hardware
or software
>vendor, an IT consultant or an IT contractor; each one should be accountable
for their
>individual contribution.

Clearly, this should be the case.  But this is not a perfect world.  If you
are suggesting that the CIO or any member of his staff is solely to blame, I
think you are dreaming.  Your description of the IS person able to make this
has the patience of Job; the negotiating skills of Henry Kissinger; the
technical skills of Pascal and Warren Buffet's business sense.  If you know
anyone like this  -- please, tell them to send me their resume.  I'm hiring!

I, for one, am beginning to wonder about the direction of CIPS based on your
comments thus far. (And you were doing so well to this point...)

Regards
Tom Ruta
>
==============================================================
   Tom Ruta, ISP                     "Nunc hoc in marmore
   Manager, Information Services       non est incision"
   Tarragon Oil and Gas Limited
   FAX:   (403)262-5324
   PHONE: (403)974-7690          Email: rutat@cadvision.com

     WWW ---> http://www.cuug.ab.ca:8001/~rutat/togl.html
==============================================================