There has often been a tense relationship between corporate and IT departments in organizations. In today’s digital world, the two departments have become even more intertwined and IT is playing a greater role in corporate decision-making.
The lack of trust between these two departments is often reflective of an organization’s culture, as well as the underlying dynamics between its various stakeholders. To assure that an organization meets its objectives, there must be a certain level of trust between the corporate and IT departments.
The Costs of Low Trust
When there is a lack of trust between corporate and IT departments, it can lead to a number of costly mistakes and missed opportunities. These include:
• The inability of the organization to capitalize on the best opportunities, as they may be overlooked due to a lack of communication and understanding between the departments.
• The implementation of inefficient technologies and ineffective processes.
• The inability to effectively utilize the talents and skills of both departments.
• The potential for costly mistakes, as the corporate and IT departments are not working together to troubleshoot issues.
• The risk of causing disruption to the organization, as the IT department’s presence is often seen as a hindrance rather than an asset.
Benefits of High Trust
When the corporate and IT departments successfully establish a level of trust, it can have numerous benefits for the organization. Here are some of the most common:
• The ability to quickly capitalize on opportunities, as both departments understand each other’s capabilities and requirements.
• A streamlined decision-making process, as the corporate and IT departments are more likely to agree on the best course of action.
• A high level of talent utilization, as both departments are more willing to work together to achieve the organization’s goals.
• The ability to quickly troubleshoot and solve issues, as the two departments are able to communicate and collaborate effectively.
• The potential to reduce costs and drive efficiencies, as the corporate and IT departments are able to integrate their processes and procedures.
Tips for Building Trust
Building trust between corporate and IT departments can be a challenge, but it’s something that must be done if organizations are to successfully capitalize on today’s opportunities. Here are some tips for creating a trusting relationship:
• Create shared goals: Both the corporate and IT departments should be focused on the same metrics and objectives. This will ensure that everyone is clear about the organization’s goals and how the two departments can work together to reach them.
• Foster communication: Open communication should be encouraged between the corporate and IT departments to ensure that everyone is on the same page. Regular meetings and check-ins can also help to facilitate better collaboration.
• Provide resources: The IT department should be given the resources it needs to do its job properly. This will help to build trust, as well as create a sense of shared ownership and accountability between the two departments.
• Encourage feedback: It’s important to create a culture of trust and openness within an organization, and this should include the ability to give and receive feedback. This will help to create an environment where mistakes can be avoided and better solutions created.
• Respect ideas: Finally, the corporate and IT departments must respect each other’s ideas and contributions. This will help to foster an environment of collaboration and understanding.
How to Measure Trust
The level of trust between corporate and IT departments can be difficult to measure, as it is based on a number of intangible factors. However, there are some ways to gauge the relationship between the two departments:
• Ask employees: By engaging with employees from the corporate and IT departments, management can gain an understanding of their relationship. This can be done through surveys, interviews, or focus groups.
• Measure performance metrics: The performance of the corporate and IT departments can also be used as an indicator of trust. This can be done by evaluating key metrics such as efficiency and productivity.
• Analyze collaboration: Finally, the effectiveness of collaboration between the two departments can be used to gauge the level of trust. This can include evaluating how quickly the corporate and IT departments are able to resolve issues and achieve goals.
There is no doubt that the relationship between the corporate and IT departments is a complex one. However, it is essential that trust is established between the two departments if the organization is to achieve its goals. By creating shared goals, fostering communication, providing resources, and encouraging feedback, it is possible to build a trusting relationship between corporate and IT departments. This is key for an organization to be successful in today’s digital world.
