The Technology Doesn't Matter

Discover the secret to productive IT-business alignment

In The Technology Doesn’t Matter: Prioritizing the People in IT Business Alignment, veteran IT executive Rachel Lockett delivers an engaging and insightful discussion of how to turn around IT departments struggling to effectively collaborate with their business counterparts. In the book, you’ll explore the proven and established People-Process-Technology framework and break down innovative approaches to IT-business alignment in a clear and accessible style.

The author explains how to “manage up” and “manage down” to create inter- and intra-departmental synergy, as well as:

• How to identify the four types of business leaders, and the ways they can contribute to an effective IT business alignment
• Practical solutions to even the most seemingly intractable technology alignment problems
• Hands-on professional development guidance for IT and business leaders

An essential and original resource for executives, managers, directors, founders, entrepreneurs, and other business leaders, The Technology Doesn’t Matter will also appeal to tech leaders and technology service providers seeking to better communicate with non-technical professionals. It’s also a practical handbook for business leaders who want to better understand, relate to, and collaborate with their IT colleagues, improve engagement and retention amongst IT employees, and align the interests of technical and non-technical professionals.

Preface vii

Acknowledgments xi

About the Author xiii

Part I IT Business Aligment 1

Chapter 1 The Problem 3

Chapter 2 The Solution 25

Part II the People 47

Chapter 3 Managing Yourself 49

Chapter 4 Managing Up/Managing the IT Leader 91

Chapter 5 Managing Down/ Managing the IT Department 117

Chapter 6 Managing Sideways 155

Part III The Process 187

Chapter 7 IT Service Delivery 189

Chapter 8 The IT Strategy 205

Chapter 9 Information Security 229

Chapter 10 Digital Business Strategy 245

Part IV Technology 265

Chapter 11 What Matters and What Doesn’t 267

Chapter 12 Sustaining an Aligned Technology Culture 277

References 287

Index 289

RACHEL LOCKETT has over 20 years’ experience in Information Technology Leadership/Management. Her professional focus is on helping organizational leaders align IT and business operations. She is the Chief Information Officer at Pohlad Companies and the recipient of the 2020 Twin Cities Enterprise CIO of the Year Award.

Explore the keys to productive IT-business alignment

In The Technology Doesn’t Matter: Prioritizing the People in IT Business Alignment, decorated IT executive and consultant Rachel Lockett delivers an accessible and practical discussion of how to help business leaders better understand, relate to, and collaborate with their IT staff in order to improve employee retention and engagement. In the book, you’ll explore the proven and established People-Process-Technology framework and discover innovative approaches to IT-business alignment written in a clear and engaging style.

The author explains how to “manage up” and “manage down” to create inter- and intra-departmental synergy, as well as how to identify the four types of business leaders and how business leaders can become more like the Champion archetype to contribute to technology business alignment. She offers practical solutions to even the most seemingly intractable technology alignment problems and gives hands-on professional development guidance for IT and business leaders.

An essential and unique resource for managers, directors, executives, founders, entrepreneurs, and other business leaders, The Technology Doesn’t Matter will also benefit tech leaders and technology service providers looking for ways to improve their ability to communicate with non-technical professionals. The book includes guidance on:

• Mitigating risk in technology implementation
• Effective personal professional development for IT leaders
• Improving executive presence for IT leaders
• Managing down, up, and sideways to understand and relate to both peers and counterparts
• Communicating regularly and frequently
• Ensuring alignment of information security and technology with business strategy