John Merritt, YMCA of San Diego County

In every successful recipe there are key ingredients. Too much of one ingredient or too little of another can have very interesting effects on the outcome of the dish.

It’s no different when it comes to technology. In today’s world, business is driven by technology; the days of seeing technology merely as a necessary evil have long passed.

Networking technologies are used to move and access information quickly, we analyze our stored data to make sound decisions, websites & eCommerce focus on bringing convenience to our customers, email systems allow us to communicate around the world in the blink of an eye, we track vehicles via satellite, cell phones keep us in touch -- the list goes on and on.

Take a moment to think of what it would be like to do your job in today’s world without technology. How efficient would you be?

The recipe for technology contains 3 key ingredients: Alignment, Relationship and Transparency. Each of these, in balance, can assist in making technology a useful, functional and invisible tool within our organizations.

The ART of technology is not about the PC on your desk or the server in the backroom. The ART of technology is about our interaction with systems, processes and one another as we work toward efficient business operations and fully meeting the mission. Undoubtedly, the cycles of budgeting, planning, purchasing, implementing and maintaining technology is very important too, but for now, let’s focus on the ART of Technology.

Alignment

There is an urgent need for convergence between business agendas and IT agendas. You could argue that alignment is an outdated concept because, in today’s world, you can not think of business without technology. But when you consider the rapid evolution of technology and the cost to keep up, keeping a separate IT and business agenda is not an option.

Alignment ensures that the technology decisions we make are focused on the business and mission. Don’t do technology just for the sake of technology: measure technology against the mission to ensure fiscal responsibility and business focused solutions.

Alignment also works toward strategic planning and the use of technology to support current and future initiatives. Technology goals should be the same as, and supportive of, the enterprise. Think of technology as merely a tool to support business processes and achieve business strategy.

Relationship

Technology erodes relationships.

Relationships function best when there is clear, open communications – person to person. Technology staff work in a unique environment that, in most organizations, transcends barriers and bureaucratic layers to give direct access to staff.

Technology staff should constantly think “partnership” and ask, “How can I work with my team to ensure technology supports the vision?” It’s the synergy of people and technology that creates solutions. Seek out partnerships with staff; get to know their frustrations, needs & challenges. Listen first, then work together towards solutions and improved business processes.

IT staff should constantly reinforce the “work smarter, not harder” concept. Put down the cell phone, don’t send another email, and take the time to talk, in person, to your colleagues and coworkers. Yes, it takes more time to “get with the people” but the chances of building a better, lasting relationship are greatly increased.

The relationship is everything.

Transparency

It’s not about technology; it’s about the business and the mission. Technology should work like a light switch; with little or no thought. It’s about working smarter, not harder.

Poor business processes can often highlight nontransparent technologies. Map your business processes and find ways to leverage the efficiency of technology by making the technology disappear. Making technology transparent is about helping people become comfortable with technology. If staff spend time trying to make the technology work, they are not focused on the organization's mission.

One common failure of technology staff is “over-complicating” technology. Over-complication leads to negative attitudes towards technology and technology staff. Positive technology integration starts with addressing negative attitudes. Seek ways for staff to reach for technology as easily as they would a pencil and never assume that staff, young or old, understands technology.

Whenever possible, reach out and help others to understand the technology tools used to support your organization. There are no dumb questions. There is a transparent technology solution to just about every business process: find it and leverage technology to erase the rough edges. After all, technology doesn’t matter –- solutions and good business process are what get the CEO’s attention.

It’s no coincidence the ART of Technology is built on three key ingredients. Like a triangle, the ART of Technology is about balance. Build your strategic technology goals to align with the business and mission of your organization: focus on the ART of Technology.

Achieving this balance is a journey and there will always be much to accomplish. It’s not about the priorities of the technologist, it’s about the priorities of the organization. If you want to make technology part of your organizations priority list – use the ART of Technology.