Cut costs with or without the IT architect?

When revenue goes down, managers tend to cut on the fixed costs. Too often the IT architecture role is perceived as such a cost. IT architects are not the front-line staff. While having a limited visual benefit to business generation, IT architects are vital to generate business in this information age. Solid systems and processes for information handling is a major requisite.

Cutting back on the IT architecture role is not only a false cost saving on a short term, it also cuts off long term cost effective growth.

What is overlooked is that convoluted platforms supporting the information function are build without clear guidance. Guidance derived from the business needs. It can look like a city built without any planning and design. 

Cities which take themselves seriously, operate with the help of a wide range of architects to assure the end result is economically a place to be. While esthetically pleasing buildings, open spaces, roads and parks attract admiration, they also attract people who want to live and work there. And be part of that economy.

Businesses can learn a great deal from an architectural approach when dealing with their applications and IT infrastructure. 

• Do your web sites create a pleasant experience and therefore attract customers? 
  
• Does your staff work with effective information and processes? 
  
• Is your IT department not constantly going after the latest fad pushed by the vendors? 
  
• Have you done everything to prevent yourself from any lock-in, so you can dynamically adjust to business needs?
  

People are critical of awkward design, knowing they have to deal with the negatives for the years to come. Successful building architects demonstrate they have considered all stakeholders to produce results. There is every reason that architects in the information space can achieve the same.

Now it is the time to keep IT architects, not lose them. In the current climate contracting IT architects can help you make sure that the systems you need are in shape. In that way your business will survive and start growing again.

© Peter Bodifée 2009. All rights reserved.