| | SEPTEMBER 20239CIOReviewToday, infrastructure, architecture and cybersecurity are non-negotiable foundations. Without them, the house will crumble;however, there also must be a balance of affordability and value-driven priorities while maintaining a secure environment. For instance, if user solutions which require wifi are being implemented, then infrastructure expansion must be part of the investment journey. However, be wary of falling into the trap of analysis paralysis, designing architecture on paper, and trying to get it perfect, while no real benefit is realized. The architecture must be flexible and scalable.Far too often, I've observed departmentsfunctioning in silos. For example, a software solution is selected and even purchased, but there has been no vetting of the solution from anvendor support, architectural or cybersecurity perspective, no discussion of how it will be accessed, how data will traverse domains,or how it will be maintained. Additionally, citizen developers are now using tools such as Python,and are capable of developing analytics and even transactional solutions. Often, there is no sufficient platform or capability, such as an accessible API library,because it doesn't fit the traditional mold of IT development by IT developers. As a result, the citizen developers store critical solutions on their laptop.Because more and morenon-IT organizationshaveresources with coding and data analytics skills,IT must be willing to evolve ways of working, and partner with them.Not only should we aspire to have technical convergence and integration, the organizations, the people and talent, must converge as well. There must be a mix of process, domain, and integration expertise. Organizational lines must blur and we must think broader and bigger. The most successful organizational model I've have the pleasure of leading was a global team comprised of people with IT backgrounds and people who came from a plant/factorywith hands-on experience. The team members were a mix of IT andmanufacturing/engineering experts and developed cross-functional skills by collaborating with each other. This resulted in a very strong team. At times, I would partner with HR and a plant manager to develop objectives of a temporary immersion assignment for my employees who would go to a plant for a short-term assignment.The responsibility and obligation to build relationships begin with the leader and must be top-down. Digital Transformation requires leaders in IT and the Business to have a close relationship and be aligned aspartners and to communicate this bond to their organizations. The respective organizations can sense just how effective this collaboration is. Remove the organizational boundaries and focus on relationships.A collaborative mindset, in conjunction with modern technology advancements, will be key for continual growth and strengthened collaboration. The creative and technically sophisticated minds of manufacturing and operations trailblazers all those years ago remain at the core of any successful transformation. This is exactly how we need to continue. And fast. A collaborative mindset, in conjunction with modern technology advancements, will be key for continual growth and strengthened collaboration. The creative and technically sophisticated minds of manufacturing and operations trailblazers all those years ago remain at the core of any successful transformation
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