By Sylvia Carr, 17 November 2005 15:45
NEWS
Business skills are only slightly more important than technical skills for CIOs and IT directors, say silicon.com readers.
In a recent poll, 48 per cent of readers said business knowledge is key for top-level IT staff while 40 per cent said it was technical smarts they require most.
A small percentage of the 557 respondents predicted the need for business acumen in the IT department will grow over time, with almost eight per cent of respondents saying business skills aren't more important than tech knowledge now but will be in five years' time, while three per cent said business will rule in 10 years.
A few readers complained there was no option in the poll for both skills being equally important, arguing that top IT staff must possess aptitude in both areas to succeed.
The poll followed recent research from analyst house Gartner, which said technical skills won't be enough for IT workers in the future and that they'll need to bone-up on business basics to attract employers and keep their jobs.
The story led to an overwhelming response from techies, who said business people need to learn more about tech, not the other way around.
Comments
There are 4 comments. Join the discussion
1. Simon
The poll results are invalid because of the lack of a "needs both" option - I didn't vote because of this. This isn't the first time, I've not voted in several polls because the available selections have been missing a vital option.
2. Richard Sarson
Funny that. When I voted a couple of days ago, the poll showed 64% for business and the techies nowhere. What happened in the last two days?
3. Sarah
If this is true, it just shows why so many IT projects go down the toilet.
ALL IT people need to understand the business need as much as the IT, otherwise there is no point in being there.
Maybe if the children who work in IT these days understood this requirement and acted on it, then maybe the IT industry would not have such a poor record at implementing projects on time and to truly meet the needs of their "customers".
4. Richard O'Sullivan
I agree that in these days of commoditisation of IT services, business experience, skills and understanding are very necessary. However, they also need an understanding of the technicalities of what is happening albeit in overview - otherwise, they are limited and tend to make wrong decisions.
I am both commercial and technical and have suffered badly at the hands of bosses who are techies only - yet I have also suffered badly from decisions made by non-technical bosses who tend to make cheque book decisions in a world of absolute mystery.