Leader: The importance of IT governance

When silicon.com polled CIOs about their top priorities for 2006, we were interested to hear IT governance topped the list - beating out the 'sexier' areas of security, offshoring and open source.

What this told us was that, despite the noise around these other topics, CIOs are under increasing pressure from the boardroom to measure - and be able to prove - whether IT projects really are delivering value for money.

It's the prominence of this concern for our readers that led us to dedicate a special report to IT governance.

'IT governance' may not be the term on everyone's lips - but the discipline comprises the techniques IT chiefs need to win over the board.

silicon.com contributor Anthony Plewes kicks off the report looking at two key aspects of governance - software and service management. The former involves the proper management of software licences, which can prevent your organisation falling foul of the law, while the latter promises to bring together technology and business strategy.

Running a tight ship also means minimising waste. To that end contributor Ron Condon has written about the IT power crisis and how IT departments can cut down on electricity usage by computer hardware. He also revisited the paperless office - that old chestnut - to see if we're any closer to realising that potentially money-saving dream.

Analysts Quocirca stopped by to explain what IT chiefs can gain by dropping bad habits and getting a handle on all aspects of their IT operations.

And we went inside the charity that runs London Zoo to hear how they've improved the efficiency and productivity of their small IT staff by rolling out new asset management software.

'IT governance' may not be the term on everyone's lips - but the discipline comprises the techniques IT chiefs need to win over the board and so is essential to their own and their organisations' success.