Frequently, IT organizations do not understand their mission so they cannot determine value. They are very reactive to business requests thinking they are delivering value but business executives may ask for low-value services or they may not know what to ask for.

The solution: IT must understand the measurable business objectives and then align the Information Processing capablities and related services to these objectives. If the requests do not align, they should provide consulting to the business to help them define an information strategy.

Critical success factor: IT needs visibility and control of the services they provide and the capabilities they support. IT is a young profession. Management practices, tools, and measures are still evolving. Many IT organizations are content to do what they are told instead of providing a leadership role. As a result, they are viewed as a commodity and a cost to be reduced or outsourced. IT must take a leadership role if they are to demonstrate their value and save the profession. Otherwise, the trend towards low-cost, low-value outsourcing will continue and there will be no more IT profession in the U.S.